A devastating new attack by terrorists in Niger State has resulted in the tragic re-abduction of schoolchildren from St Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, mere days after they were released from captivity. The assault on communities in Agwara Local Government Area on Saturday, January 3, 2026, also left over 30 people dead and saw many villagers taken.
Details of the Deadly Assault
According to local residents who spoke anonymously for safety, the assailants stormed the communities from the Kainji National Park, which they reportedly use as a hideout. The coordinated attacks targeted Kasuwan Daji and Kaima communities, with a resident confirming that 37 people were killed in Kasuwan Daji near Papiri and another five in Kaima village. The attackers then took the abducted villagers, including children and some of the recently freed students, deep into the forest within the national park.
The Catholic Church confirmed the horrifying incident. Stephen Kabirat, Director of Communications for the Kontagora Diocese, disclosed that the parish priest of the area had narrowly escaped abduction just three days prior during a raid on the mission house. Kabirat stated, "They destroyed some religious items, carted away two motorcycles and cash of over N200,000. They were looking for the priest, but he escaped. Some villagers, including children, were abducted."
Security Crisis and Community Pleas
The Niger State Police Command, through its spokesperson Superintendent of Police Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed receiving reports of the raids around 9 p.m. on Saturday. Abiodun stated that a joint security team had visited the affected areas and rescue efforts were underway. He provided further details on a related incident, noting that at about 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, suspected bandits from the National Park forest invaded Kasuwan Daji market in Demo Village, killing over 30 persons, burning the market, and looting shops and food items.
Community members revealed that the attackers have established camps within Kainji National Park, enabling repeated raids on villages across Niger and parts of Kebbi State. One resident highlighted the cross-border nature of the threat, stating, "We have a serious crisis across River Rofia, where they cross from Kebbi State to attack us." Another villager made a desperate appeal for urgent intervention, explaining that fear has displaced entire communities, with some villagers now sleeping in the bushes for safety.
Government Condemnation and Ongoing Rescue Efforts
On Sunday, January 4, President Bola Tinubu condemned the brutal attack and directed security agencies to intensify operations aimed at rescuing the abducted and bringing the perpetrators to justice. This directive underscores the federal government's response to the escalating insecurity.
The attack compounds an existing tragedy for the Catholic community in Papiri. The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora had previously published a list of 265 names—comprising 12 teachers, 14 secondary school students, and 239 primary school pupils—abducted from the schools. While the Christian Association of Nigeria reported that 50 students escaped and were reunited with their families last week, this fresh abduction has plunged the community back into anguish.
This latest violence follows a pattern of attacks in the region, including incidents where gunmen attacked an NSCDC checkpoint in Borgu LGA and bandits fleeing military operations in Kwara State invaded other Agwara communities. The situation highlights the persistent security challenges facing residents of Niger State and the urgent need for a sustained and effective security strategy to protect vulnerable communities.
