Parents evacuate children from Catholic school hit by bandits in Niger

Parents have started withdrawing their children from a Catholic school in Niger State after it was attacked by bandits, heightening anxiety over worsening insecurity in the region.

The school, located in Agwara Local Government Area, was invaded in the early hours of Friday, with several pupils and staff reportedly abducted.

Although authorities are still working to confirm the exact number of victims, the incident has triggered fear among families who say they can no longer risk leaving their children in vulnerable learning environments.

In a video posted by Reporters, a lot of vehicles and motorcycles were seen in the school premises with some parents carrying belongings of their children on their heads.

Earlier, the Head of Department, Disaster and Relief, Agwara Local Government, Ahmed Abdullahi Rofia, confirmed the attack via telephone, revealing that the terrorists struck in the early hours of Friday morning.

He said the “attackers invaded the school between 2am and 3am, adding that the actual number of abducted students and staff had yet to be determined as authorities continue their assessments.”

The State Governor, Umar Bago, has confirmed the incident via his official Facebook handle on Friday.

It was detailed in a statement titled and signed by Secretary to the Niger State Government, Alh. Abubakar Usman, “Niger State Government Condemns Kidnapping of pupils in Papiri area in Agwara Local Government, Reiterates Earlier Security Directive.”

“The Niger State Government has received with deep sadness the disturbing news of the kidnapping of pupils from St. Mary’s School in Agwara Local Government Area.

“The exact number of abducted pupils is yet to be confirmed as security agencies continue to assess the situation,” the release noted.

Meanwhile, the Niger state police command says police tactical teams and military components are “combing the forests” with a view to rescuing the abducted students unhurt.

Wasiu Abiodun, police spokesperson in the state, said in a statement that tactical police teams, military units and other security agents have been deployed in the area.

“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,” the statement reads.

“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.”

The assault comes just days after a similar attack in Maga, Kebbi State, where 25 students were kidnapped, heightening nationwide concerns over worsening insecurity in schools across the North crisis deepened further on Thursday when over 50 schools were shut down in four Kwara State local government areas due to rampaging bandits.

As the situation escalates, President Bola Tinubu cancelled his trips to South Africa and Angola to coordinate the national response to the deepening security challenges.