Panic has gripped the Papiri community in Niger State after terrorists attacked a Catholic secondary school in the early hours of Friday, November 21, abducting several students. The attackers reportedly stormed St. Mary’s Private (Catholic) Secondary School between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. and seized an unspecified number of students before escaping. Mohammed Inuwa, a senior legislative aide to Rt. Hon. Jafar Muhammad Ali, confirmed the incident, noting that local authorities had been alerted. “Yes, it happened around 3 to 4 a.m., and the number of students abducted is not yet confirmed. The police command of the local government has been informed,” he said. Efforts to obtain further information from security agencies have so far been unsuccessful. When contacted, Niger State Police Public Relations Officer Wasiu Abiodun responded, “Let me verify, please,” but did not provide additional updates or comment on possible rescue operations. The attack comes just days after 25 schoolgirls were kidnapped from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State. In response to the Kebbi abductions, President Bola Tinubu on Thursday, November 20, directed the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to travel to Kebbi State to coordinate rescue efforts. “Matawalle, who previously served as Governor of Zamfara State, has been instructed to remain in the state to oversee security operations aimed at securing the release of the abducted students,” said Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
