TERRORISTS in the early hours of Friday, November 21, stormed St. Mary’s Papiri Private Catholic Secondary School in the Papiri community of Agwara Local Government Area, Niger State, and abducted scores of students and teachers.
Several community members who visited the school after the incident confirmed the attack and described it as a coordinated operation carried out between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m.
The Head of Department, Disaster and Relief, Agwara Local Government, Ahmed Abdullahi Rofia, also confirmed the attack, according to Daily Trust.
The ICIR is yet to confirm the number of students abducted. Some residents said dozens of children were abducted, but the claim have yet to be independently verified.
Friday’s abduction came five days after terrorists attacked Maga Comprehensive Girls’ Secondary School in Kebbi State, where about 25 female students were whisked away and a staff member was killed. A guard was also injured during the early-morning assault.
Reacting to the latest incident, the Niger State Police Command confirmed the attack and announced that security forces had already been deployed for an immediate rescue operation.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Wasiu A. Abiodun, the command said it received a report at about 2:00 a.m. on November 21, 2025, that armed bandits invaded the school and abducted an unconfirmed number of students from the school hostel.
Abiodun said police tactical units, military components, and other security agencies had since moved to the area and were combing the surrounding forests to rescue the victims.
He added that the Commissioner of Police, Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, reiterated the command’s commitment to rescuing the students unhurt and appealed to members of the public to remain calm and support ongoing security operations.
The police further stated that the incident would be thoroughly investigated and that necessary action would be taken against the school management for continuing academic activities despite the state government’s directive ordering schools in the area to close due to security concerns.
Reacting to the attack, the state government joined the police to blame the school for the abduction.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State, Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, has condemned the attack, describing it as a painful assault on children, educators and the entire community.
The CAN leadership expressed deep concern over the safety of the abducted children and their families, stressing that the “Body of Christ” was actively collaborating with security operatives, community leaders and government authorities to facilitate their rescue.
Yohanna, who is also the Bishop of the Kontagora Diocese, called on members of the public to remain calm, support ongoing security efforts, and continue praying for the safe and speedy return of all abductees.
NOTE: This report has been updated to include reactions from the Police, the Niger State Government, and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State.
Read the terror series here
Nurudeen Akewushola is an investigative reporter and fact-checker with The ICIR. He believes courageous in-depth investigative reporting is the key to social justice, accountability and good governance in society. You can reach him via nyahaya@icirnigeria.org and @NurudeenAkewus1 on Twitter.