Panic erupted in the Papiri community of Niger State after armed terrorists invaded St. Mary’s Private (Catholic) Secondary School in the early hours of Friday, November 21, abducting an unconfirmed number of students.
The attack occurred between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m., according to Mohammed Inuwa, a senior legislative aide to Rt. Hon. Jafar Muhammad Ali, the Member representing Borgu/Agwara Federal Constituency and Chairman of the House Committee on Muslim Pilgrims Affairs.
Inuwa said: “Yeah, it happened around 3 to 4 a.m. And the number of students abducted is not yet confirmed. The police command of the local government is informed.” Attempts to reach Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, for comment were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
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This incident follows closely on the heels of another abduction, in which 25 schoolgirls were kidnapped from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga town, Kebbi State. In response, President Bola Tinubu directed the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to relocate to Kebbi State to oversee rescue operations.
“Matawalle, who was formerly Governor of Zamfara State, was asked to remain in the state to monitor security efforts to secure the release of the abducted students,” stated Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, in a statement Thursday night.