Early Morning Terror Strikes Niger Community
Panic has enveloped the peaceful Papiri community in Niger State following a devastating terrorist attack on St. Mary's Private Catholic Secondary School during the early hours of Friday, November 21. Armed militants stormed the educational institution between 3 and 4 a.m., successfully abducting an unconfirmed number of students in yet another assault on northern Nigeria's educational facilities.
Official Confirmation and Security Response
The disturbing incident has been officially confirmed to journalists by Mohammed Inuwa, senior legislative aide to Rt. Hon. Jafar Muhammad Ali, who represents Borgu/Agwara Federal Constituency and chairs the House Committee on Muslim Pilgrims Affairs. Inuwa verified the attack timeline and acknowledged that the exact number of missing students remains uncertain while confirming that local police authorities have been notified.
Attempts to obtain detailed information from security agencies have proven challenging. When contacted, the Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, provided a brief response indicating he needed to verify information before providing details. Follow-up inquiries regarding ongoing security operations and investigation findings received no immediate response.
Pattern of Educational Institution Attacks Continues
This latest school attack occurs mere days after 25 school girls were abducted from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga town, Kebbi State, highlighting a disturbing pattern of targeting educational institutions in northern Nigeria.
In response to the previous incident, President Bola Tinubu has taken decisive action by directing Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to relocate to Kebbi State on Thursday, November 20. The former Zamfara State governor has been tasked with monitoring security efforts and coordinating operations to secure the safe release of the abducted students, according to a statement from Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
The repeated attacks on schools have raised serious concerns about the safety of educational environments in northern Nigeria, with parents and community members expressing growing anxiety about the security situation affecting their children's education and wellbeing.
