The security situation in Niger state has taken a more distressing turn as the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora announced a significant increase in the number of students unaccounted for after a violent attack on a secondary school.
Rising Number of Missing Students
In a sobering update provided on the morning of Saturday, November 22, 2025, Most Reverend Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, revealed that 88 more students have been declared missing. This new figure drastically increases the total number of missing students from the attack on St Mary Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara local government area (LGA).
The bishop confirmed that the total number of students who cannot be located has now reached a staggering 303. This follows his initial report which stated that 215 students were missing immediately after the assault.
Teachers Also Kidnapped in the Raid
The attack did not only target students. Bishop Yohanna further disclosed that the terrorists also abducted school staff during the raid. According to his statement, four female and eight male teachers were kidnapped, compounding the tragedy that has befallen the educational institution and the surrounding community.
The community of Papiri and the entire Agwara local government area are now grappling with the aftermath of this devastating incident, which highlights the persistent security challenges in the region.
Ongoing Situation and Community Impact
This attack on an educational institution represents a severe blow to the right to education and safety in Niger state. The location of the school in a relatively remote area underscores the vulnerabilities that many communities face.
As the search for the missing students and teachers continues, parents and community members are left in a state of anguish and uncertainty. The incident has sparked renewed concerns about the safety of schools in parts of Nigeria prone to security threats.
Authorities are expected to provide further updates as the situation develops and efforts to locate the missing individuals intensify.
