BREAKING: Midnight Raid in Niger As Bandits Abduct Schoolchildren

 

Gunmen, in the early hours of Friday, stormed Papiri village in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, abducting an unspecified number of pupils from St. Mary’s School under the Borgu Emirate.

Residents told Patriotic Insights News that the attackers struck around 1am, operating for several minutes without resistance and leaving the community in panic.

A community source, who requested anonymity for security reasons, said the assailants whisked away “dozens” of pupils, although the actual number remains unclear.

“I cannot confirm the figure yet. The incident happened between Thursday night and early Friday morning. The school has both boys and girls. Many are still being accounted for,” the source said.

He added that the situation is complicated by the fact that some pupils who initially fled into the bushes have been returning intermittently.

“The number of those taken cannot be determined now. Some children who escaped are still returning,” he noted.

Another resident, identified simply as Bako also confirmed the attack to Patriotic Insights News via a telephone call. He disclosed that the school watchman was shot during the invasion and is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed medical facility.

“The security officer stationed at the school was hit by a bullet. The gunmen attacked shortly after 1am,” he said.

Usman further disclosed that while St. Mary’s School operates as a boarding institution, the attackers specifically targeted the primary school section.

“It is a boarding school, but they went straight for the primary section. Several pupils were taken, though some managed to escape,” he explained.

Efforts to reach the Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, were unsuccessful, as calls and messages sent to him were not returned as of press time.

However, Abdullahi Rofia, Head of Department, Disaster and Relief, Agwara Local Government, confirmed the incident but said authorities are still compiling the number of abducted pupils.

The attack comes barely a week after another school raid in Kebbi State, where at least 25 girls were abducted.