The state police spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the attack in a statement on Friday.
Ambali Abdulkabeer, Aduwo Ayodele and Ahmed Oluwasanjo • November 21, 2025
St. Mary’s Private (Catholic) Secondary School, Papiri Agwara LGA, Niger State(Credit: Peoples Gazette)
Days after 25 schoolgirls were abducted in Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi State, terrorists have kidnapped several students in St. Mary’s Private (Catholic) Secondary School, Papiri Agwara LGA, Niger State.
The state police spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the attack in a statement on Friday.
“The Niger State Police Command wishes to confirm that on 21st November, 2025, at about 2:00 a.m., a report received indicated that some armed bandits invaded St. Mary’s Private (Catholic) Secondary School, Papiri Agwara LGA and abducted a yet to be ascertained number of students from the School’s hostel,” the statement stated.
Mr Abiodun, however, said police tactical units, military components and other security agencies had moved to the scene, combing the forests with a view to rescuing the abducted students.
The commissioner of police, Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, reiterated the Command’s commitment to rescue the students unhurt and appealed to members of the public to remain calm and support security operations to rescue the students”.
Mr Elleman further assured that the incident would be investigated and necessary action would 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.
“The Niger State Police Command wishes to confirm that on 21st November, 2025 at about 2.00am, report received indicated that some armed bandits invaded St. Mary’s Private (Catholic) Secondary School, Papiri Agwara LGA and abducted a yet to be ascertained number of students from the School’s hostel. However, Police tactical units, military components and other security agencies have moved to the scene, combing the forests with a view to rescue the abducted students.
“In view of this, the Commissioner of Police Niger State Command CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman reiterated the Command’s commitment to rescue the students unhurt, and appealed to members of the public to remain calm and support security operations to rescue the students.
“He further assured that 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,” said the police statement.
The latest attack came days after armed bandits stormed the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi, killing the vice principal while abducting several students.
Armed bandits also attacked a Catholic Apostolic Church, Oke Isegun in Ekiti LGA of Kwara, killing two worshippers while abducting several others.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu deployed military reinforcement in the affected states, vowing to safely rescue abductees.
Mr Tinubu also directed deputy defence minister Bello Matawalle to relocate to Kebbi with immediate effect to monitor security efforts and secure the release of the abducted students.
