A Catholic priest has issued a strong reaction following the abduction of students from St. Mary's Catholic Secondary School in Papiri, Niger State. The reverend father is demanding immediate government action to address the escalating insecurity in the region.
Terrorists Storm School in Early Morning Raid
Armed terrorists invaded St. Mary's Private Catholic Secondary School in Papiri during the early hours of Friday, November 21. The attack occurred between 3 am and 4 am, when the assailants stormed the school premises and whisked away an unconfirmed number of students.
The incident has thrown the Papiri community into panic as parents and residents grapple with the shocking development. Local sources indicate that both primary and secondary school students were among those abducted during the brazen attack.
Priest's Urgent Call for Action
Speaking through his Facebook platform identified as Fada Kay Media, the Catholic priest revealed that 52 people were abducted from St. Mary's Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools. The victims include teachers, students, pupils, and a security guard.
The reverend father made an urgent appeal to the government, stating: "We need to see declarations of States of Emergency in these States ASAP, until these TERRORISTS are decisively dealt with."
He emphasized the importance of human lives over political interests, adding: "It's not only when there are immediate political interests that the Presidency should be concerned. Human lives matter more than biased politics. If we're all dead, who will you govern?"
Public Reaction to Security Crisis
The priest's statement has sparked significant reactions from concerned Nigerians. Many social media users expressed their frustration with the continuing insecurity across the country.
One commenter, Jay Bouy, suggested that schools in high-risk areas should fortify their security measures: "Such school should have fortified their security seeing what's going on lately! I just hope others, including schools, seminaries and churches in these hot zones will put in better security system going forward."
Other reactions highlighted the perceived selective response to security crises, with Precious Nkpogio noting: "If na politics and Rivers State now,e no for hard for emergency rule to be declared."
The abduction at St. Mary's Catholic School represents another tragic episode in the ongoing security challenges facing educational institutions in northern Nigeria. The reverend father's call for a state of emergency underscores the growing desperation among communities affected by terrorist activities.
