The escalating insecurity crisis in Nigeria has deepened with the shocking news that 303 students and 12 teachers are missing following a brazen militant attack on St. Mary Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, Niger State.
The assault, which saw heavily armed militants storm the Catholic boarding school in the early hours of Friday, is the latest in a relentless series of mass school abductions plaguing the country.
Diocese Confirms Chilling Kidnap Figures
The final and devastating figure was confirmed on Saturday by the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora. Most. Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, released a statement detailing the headcount after the raid.
The Bishop confirmed that a total of 303 students were missing, along with 12 staff members comprising four female and eight male teachers who were also forcibly taken during the operation. This updated figure paints a grim picture of the largest single mass abduction recorded in the state in recent times.
Government Blame Vs. Church Denial
The tragic incident has sparked a sharp dispute between the church authorities and the Niger State Government over claims of negligence and prior warnings.
The Niger State Government had, on Friday, issued a statement blaming the school for reopening without official clearance, alleging it violated a prior directive suspending boarding activities in the area due to security threats.
However, Bishop Yohanna vehemently denied receiving any prior warning from either the government or security agencies.
“We have asked the education secretary if he received a circular, he said no. We asked if he was verbally informed, he also said no. Let them tell the world who they gave the circular to, or through what channel did they send it,” the Bishop challenged. “They claimed the school was shut down and reopened a few days ago, that is also not true, we are law abiding.”
The Bishop’s statement puts the onus squarely back on the state government to provide evidence of its alleged security directive.
Nationwide School Closures Ordered
In response to the alarming rise in attacks on educational institutions, the Federal Government has taken drastic measures to safeguard students.
Binta Abdulkadir, Director of Senior Secondary Education in the Ministry of Education, announced that Dr. Tunji Alausa had approved the temporary closure of 47 Unity Colleges across the country. This move, prompted by “recent security challenges in some parts of the country,” highlights the systemic threat that insecurity now poses to Nigeria’s education sector.
The situation remains highly tense as security forces and local vigilantes have reportedly been deployed to track the militants and secure the safe return of the missing students and staff.
Coordinated Search and Rescue Launched for Abducted Students
Following the mass abduction at St. Mary Secondary School in Papiri, Niger State, authorities have quickly mobilized security forces, though the final count of abductees remains a point of variance between the church and the state.
Security Agency Deployment
- Joint Operations: The Niger State Police Command confirmed the deployment of police tactical units, military components, and other security agencies to the area.
- Forest Combing: These units have been tasked with “combing the forests” surrounding Papiri to track the bandits and secure the safe return of the kidnapped students and staff.
- Police Commitment: The Commissioner of Police for the Niger State Command reiterated the command’s commitment to rescue the students unhurt.
Official Response and Collaboration
Both the church and the state government have stated they are collaborating on the rescue mission:
- Diocese’s Assurance: The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora confirmed that security agencies were immediately informed and have “begun coordinated efforts.” Bishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna assured the public that the Diocese is “actively collaborating with security operatives, community leaders, and government authorities” in the rescue mission.
- Governor’s Directive: Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State ordered the immediate closure of all schools (private, primary, secondary, and religious) in the state as a safety measure. He stated that the government’s primary mission is to “rescue these children and all those kidnapped alongside.”
- Call for Unity: The Governor called on security agencies, civil society organizations, and religious leaders to unite and focus on the rescue efforts.
Disagreement on Abduction Figures
While rescue operations are underway, there is a lack of consensus on the number of victims:
| Source | Abductee Count (Students & Staff) | Key Context |
| Catholic Diocese (Initial) | 315 (303 students, 12 teachers) | Final figure confirmed after verification and further inquiries with parents of students thought to have escaped. |
| Niger State Police | “Yet to be ascertained” | The State Police Public Relations Officer stated that security agencies are still conducting headcounts before an official figure is released. |
The conflicting numbers underscore the fluid and complex nature of the crisis as authorities attempt to verify the exact number of individuals taken during the early-morning raid.
