The Niger State Government has blamed St. Mary’s School for the mass abduction of pupils, saying the school ignored a security directive issued after intelligence warnings.
The Niger State Government has accused the management of St. Mary’s School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, of disregarding a security directive issued weeks before the mass abduction of pupils and teachers, according to a report from SAHARAREPORTERS.
In a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Abubakar Usman, the government said it received news of the kidnapping “with deep sadness,” adding that the “exact number of abducted pupils is yet to be confirmed” as security agencies continue assessments.
The statement noted that the attack occurred despite earlier intelligence indicating “an increased threat level in parts of Niger North Senatorial District.” Based on this intelligence, the government said it 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.”
It added that the school violated this order. “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,” the statement said.
SaharaReporters reported that the attack happened between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m., with multiple community sources describing it as a coordinated operation. Local officials, including Ahmed Abdullahi Rofia and Bello Gidi, confirmed the incident, with Gidi stating, “They have kidnap over 100 students and teachers.”