Mass Kidnapping at St. Mary's Catholic School
Armed bandits stormed St. Mary's Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, Niger State, abducting 227 people in a devastating overnight attack. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has confirmed the mass kidnapping occurred between 2am and 3am on Friday, November 21, marking one of the largest school abductions in recent northern Nigeria history.
Confirmed Numbers and Official Statement
Daniel Atori, media aide to the Niger State CAN chairman Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, released an official statement clarifying the exact figures. The kidnappers took 215 pupils and students along with 12 teachers during the coordinated raid. The Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese confirmed he had personally visited the school and met with distraught parents to assure them of coordinated rescue efforts.
"I have just got back to the village this night after I visited the school where I also met with parents of the children to assure them that we are working with the government and security agencies to see that our children are rescued and brought back safely," Yohanna stated in his official communication.
Chaotic Aftermath and School Closure
During the chaotic attack, some students managed to escape their captors, though the exact number remains unspecified. The traumatic event prompted parents to immediately retrieve their children from the institution, forcing complete shutdown of the educational facility.
The Niger State government revealed concerning information that the school had reopened without official clearance, despite security advisories directing all boarding schools in the area to temporarily suspend operations due to escalating security threats in the region.
Growing Security Crisis in Northern Schools
This mass abduction follows closely after another disturbing incident where gunmen abducted 25 female students from Government Girls Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State. The consecutive attacks have deepened fears across northern Nigeria as educational institutions continue facing relentless security challenges.
Bishop Yohanna urged the public to remain calm and prayerful while security operations intensify to track the kidnappers. "I want to assure you that we are actively collaborating with security operatives, community leaders, and government authorities for the safe and quick return of all abductees," he emphasized.
The CAN leader concluded with a prayerful message: "May the Lord grant quick release to those abducted and continue to protect his people from all dangers," highlighting the emotional and spiritual dimensions of the ongoing crisis affecting the educational community in northern Nigeria.
