Terror Strikes Again: Niger Catholic School Students Abducted, Police and Military Launch Massive Forest Search

... Security Forces Hunt for Missing Pupils as Communities Reel from Latest Kidnapping

By All Facts Correspondent

Chaos and fear gripped Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, early Friday morning after armed men stormed St. Mary Secondary School and abducted a number of students and staff. The incident has reignited concerns over school security and the escalating threat of terrorism in the region.

Security agencies-including police tactical units, military components, and other operatives-have mobilized to comb the surrounding forests in a desperate attempt to rescue the abducted pupils.

According to Niger State Police Command spokesperson, SP W. A. Abiodun, the attackers struck at around 2:00 a.m., forcibly taking an undetermined number of students from the school hostel. Eyewitnesses described the operation as swift and ruthless, leaving the school community in shock.

The Niger State Commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, confirmed the deployment of tactical units and military personnel to track down the perpetrators. "The Command is committed to ensuring the safe return of all abducted students,ÔÇØ CP Elleman said, urging the public to remain calm and support the ongoing operations.

Communities in the region have expressed outrage over the recurring spate of attacks on schools, raising questions about the adequacy of current security measures. The authorities assured that intelligence and tactical coordination are being intensified to prevent further attacks and bring the culprits to justice.

The latest abduction follows a string of similar attacks across northern and central Nigeria, where schools and vulnerable communities continue to be targeted by armed groups. Analysts warn that unless urgent reforms and enhanced security strategies are implemented, the safety of students across the nation will remain in jeopardy.

The Federal Government and state authorities are under pressure to ensure that the abducted students are rescued unharmed and that stronger security protocols are established for all educational institutions.