Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the abduction of students and staff from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Agwara LGA of Niger State, describing the incident as “truly heartbreaking.”
Responding on X to reports of the attack, Atiku questioned the government’s pace in addressing rising insecurity, asking: “How many more lives must be shattered before decisive action is taken?”
He urged the Federal Government to immediately declare a state of emergency on insecurity, stressing that the situation demands urgent and comprehensive action.
The attack occurred between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. on Friday, when armed men stormed the school and abducted an undetermined number of students and staff. Church sources confirmed the incident but said the total number of victims was still being verified.
The Niger State Government noted that the school had reopened despite an earlier closure directive, which they said placed students and workers at risk.
Security personnel, including police and military units, have been deployed to the area to begin rescue operations. The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora also condemned the attack and called for immediate efforts to secure the missing individuals.
The incident comes shortly after a similar school abduction in Maga, Kebbi State, where 25 female students were taken, heightening concerns over increasing attacks on educational institutions in the North.