Niger CAN confirms 227 abducted in Papiri school attack

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State has confirmed that 227 people were abducted when armed men stormed St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, in the early hours of Friday.

The terrifying raid, which occurred between 2am and 3am, threw the community into confusion as families and authorities initially struggled to determine the exact number of victims taken. CAN officials said a thorough headcount and reconciliation process eventually revealed the staggering total.

Later on Friday evening, Daniel Atori, media aide to the state CAN chairman, issued an update confirming that “215 pupils and students, including 12 teachers,” were abducted during the incident.

Residents who visited the school shortly after the attack described the operation as well-coordinated and consistent with the timeframe of 2am to 3am.

Local officials also affirmed the incident. Ahmed Abdullahi Rofia, the Head of Disaster and Relief for Agwara Local Government, verified the attack along with Bello Gidi, media aide to the Agwara council chairman.

Following the incident, the Niger State government criticised the school management, saying the mass abduction could have been prevented if earlier security directives had been obeyed.

In a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Alh. Abubakar Usman, the government said it received the report of the kidnapping “with deep sadness,” adding that the “exact number of abducted pupils is yet to be confirmed” as agencies continue their assessment.

The statement explained that the attack occurred despite intelligence indicating “an increased threat level in parts of Niger North Senatorial District.”

Based on that intelligence, the government said it had ordered “a clear directive suspending all construction activities and ordering the temporary closure of all boarding schools within the affected zone as a precautionary measure.”

It faulted the school for ignoring the instruction, saying: “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.”