Gunmen have reportedly abducted an unidentified number of students and members of staff from a Catholic school in Niger state- St. Mary’s School in Papiri, Agwara LGA of the state.
According to reports, the incident happened on Friday between two and three in the morning.
The state government of Niger declared in a statement that “it has received with deep sadness the disturbing news of the kidnapping of students from St. Mary’s School in Agwara Local Government Area.” While security officials continue to evaluate the situation, the precise number of kidnapped students is still unknown.
The Niger state government’s secretary, Abubakar Usman, signed the statement, which stated that the state had previously received intelligence reports showing a higher threat level in certain areas of the northern senatorial district.
“In response to these credible security alerts, the State Government had earlier issued a clear directive suspending all construction activities and ordering the temporary closure of all boarding schools within the affected zone as a precautionary measure,” the statement reads.
Usman said St. Mary’s Catholic School, however defied this directive and went on to reopen and resume academic activities without notifying or seeking clearance from the state.
“Security agencies have since commenced a full-scale investigation and search-and-rescue operations to ensure the safe return of the pupils,” the statement added.
“The Niger State Government is in close communication with all relevant security formations and will provide continuous updates as more information becomes available.
“The Government urges school proprietors, community leaders, and all stakeholders to adhere strictly to security advisories issued in the interest of public safety.
“The protection of lives, especially those of our children, remains the utmost priority of this administration.”
This sad Catholic school kidnap incident comes only few days after another brutal terrorist attack and the abduction of 25 female students from Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi state.
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