An unspecified number of students and staff have reportedly been abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri community of Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.
According to local sources, armed attackers raided the school during the night and took several students away.
A representative of one of the Catholic churches in the state confirmed the incident but said the school was still compiling the exact number of victims.
“Yes, it is true, but I am not in a position to give details. The church will issue an official statement later in the day,” the source said.
Spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, noted that more information would be released soon.
Meanwhile, Head of Disaster and Relief in Agwara Local Government, Ahmed Abdullahi Rofia, confirmed the attack in a phone call.
He said the assailants invaded the school between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m., and authorities were still verifying the precise number of abducted students and staff.
The incident comes shortly after another kidnapping in Maga, Kebbi State, where 25 students were taken, heightening concerns over escalating insecurity in northern schools.
On Thursday, more than 50 schools in Kwara State were forced to close due to rising bandit activity.
