Niger Blames St. Mary’s School For Unauthorized Reopening Before Pupils’ Abduction

The Niger State Government has condemned the abduction of pupils from St. Mary’s School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, stressing that the school reopened without government clearance despite a directive suspending all boarding activities in the zone.

Although full details are still emerging, Daily Trust reports that several students were taken during the midnight attack.

The Head of Department, Disaster and Relief, Agwara Local Government, Ahmed Abdullahi Rofia, confirmed the incident by telephone. He said the attackers invaded the school between 2:00 am and 3:00 am, adding that officials are still trying to determine the exact number of pupils and staff abducted.

In a statement released on Friday, the Secretary to the State Government, Abubakar Usman, said the state had earlier received credible intelligence indicating an increased threat level across parts of Niger North Senatorial District.

He explained that, as a precautionary measure, the government suspended all construction work and ordered a temporary shutdown of boarding schools within the affected areas.

“This unfortunate incident comes despite prior intelligence report obtained by the government indicating an increased threat level in parts of the Niger North 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.

“Regrettably, St. Mary’s School proceeded to reopen and resume academic activities without notifying or seeking clearance from the State Government, thereby exposing pupils and the staff to avoidable risk,” Usman said.

He added that the total number of abducted pupils has not yet been confirmed, as security agencies continue their assessment of the situation.