Armed bandits kidnap students from Niger Catholic school, security forces launch immediate rescue operation

Abdullateef Fowewe

In the early hours of November of Friday, armed bandits attacked St. Mary’s Private (Catholic) Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, abducting an unspecified number of students from the school’s hostel.

The Niger State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement by its spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun.

The spokesman noted that the Police tactical units, together with military forces and other security agencies, rapidly deployed to the area and have been actively combing nearby forests in a bid to rescue the kidnapped students.

Commissioner of Police for Niger State, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, reassured the public of the security forces’ dedication to recovering the students unharmed.

He urged calm and called on the community to support the ongoing rescue efforts.

The Commissioner also stated, “This incident will be investigated, and necessary action will be taken against the school management for continuing academic activities contrary to the State government directive on closure of schools in the area due to security challenges.”