Terrorists have abducted 303 students and 12 staff members from St. Mary’s School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, in a brazen attack in the early hours of Friday, November 21, 2025.

The Niger State Government confirmed the attack in a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Abubakar Usman. He stated that the attack happened despite prior intelligence reports indicating heightened security threats in parts of Niger North.

He added that St. Mary’s School reopened and resumed academic activities without notifying or seeking clearance from the state.

“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,” Usman said.

The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora denounced the midnight attack, assuring the public that it is working closely with security agencies, community leaders, and government officials to ensure the safe return of all victims. In a statement, Rev. Fr. Jatau Luka Joseph, Diocesan Secretary, called for calm, collective prayers, and support for ongoing rescue efforts.

A joint team of police and military personnel has been deployed to Papiri to rescue the abducted students. The Niger State Police Command, through its spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun, said the school management would face sanctions for reopening and operating in defiance of government directives aimed at protecting pupils amid escalating security threats.

The Niger State Government reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding lives, particularly those of children, and urged school proprietors, community leaders, and stakeholders to strictly adhere to security advisories.

The incident comes on the heels of the abduction of 25 female students from Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi state. The school’s vice principal, Hassan Makuku, lost his life during the attack on Monday, November 17, 2025, while a security guard, Ali Shehu, sustained gunshot injuries to his right hand.

It also follows a week of heightened international attention over allegations of Christian persecution in Nigeria. On Tuesday, November 18, 2025, American superstar, Nicki Minaj, addressed the United Nations (UN) and called for an end to religious-motivated attacks in Nigeria. On Thursday, November 20, 2025, the United States (US) House of Representatives’ Subcommittee on Africa also held a hearing on the violent attacks in Nigeria.