The Niger State Police Command and government officials have confirmed the abduction of hundreds of students and teachers from St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, describing it as one of the most devastating school attacks in recent years.

The attack unfolded in the early hours of November 21, 2025, when armed assailants stormed the boarding school around 2 a.m., firing sporadically and forcing their way into hostels. According to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State, a total of 227 people were taken—215 students and 12 teachers. Later verification by CAN Chairman, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, suggested the number may be even higher, with reports indicating that some children initially thought to have escaped were later confirmed missing.

The Niger State Police Command issued a statement through its Public Relations Officer, SP W.A. Abiodun, confirming the incident and acknowledging that “armed bandits invaded St. Mary’s Private (Catholic) Secondary School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area, in the early hours of 21 November 2025, abducting an undetermined number of students from the school hostel.” He assured that security operatives had been deployed and that “a full-scale investigation and rescue operation is ongoing to ensure the safe return of the victims”.

Government officials also weighed in. The Secretary to the Niger State Government, Abubakar Usman, explained that authorities had received prior intelligence about heightened threats in the northern senatorial district. He noted that the state had ordered the closure of all boarding schools in the area, but St. Mary’s reopened without clearance. In his words: “The Niger state government has received with deep sadness the disturbing news of the kidnapping of pupils from St. Mary’s School in Agwara Local Government Area. The exact number of abducted pupils is yet to be confirmed as security agencies continue to assess the situation… St. Mary’s School, however, proceeded to reopen and resume academic activities without notifying or seeking clearance from the state.”

Local officials also confirmed the scale of the attack. Bello Gidi, media aide to the Agwara council chairman, told journalists: “Yes, it’s true that bandits have kidnapped students and teachers at St. Mary’s Papiri Private Catholic Secondary School, Papiri, Agwara LGA.” He added that early reports suggested “over 100 students and teachers” were taken.

The abduction has triggered widespread outrage and grief. Parents gathered at the school and nearby churches, demanding urgent action. Religious leaders condemned the attack, calling it a direct assault on education and faith. Security agencies are now coordinating search-and-rescue operations across Niger and neighboring states, while the government has urged school proprietors to strictly adhere to security advisories.

This incident, coming barely a week after 25 students were kidnapped from another school in Niger State, underscores the deepening insecurity in northern Nigeria and the vulnerability of educational institutions. For many, the mass abduction at St. Mary’s is a painful reminder of the Chibok and Dapchi tragedies, raising fears of another prolonged hostage crisis if urgent measures are not taken.