Students Abducted in Second Nigerian School Kidnapping This Week
Papiri, Niger State, Nigeria - Armed men abducted an unknown number of students and staff from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State, early Friday morning, marking the second reported school kidnapping in Nigeria in less than a week. The attack occurred around 02:00 local time (01:00 GMT).
Authorities had already ordered the temporary closure of all boarding schools in Niger state due to escalating security concerns when the raid took place. While the exact number of those taken remains unconfirmed, local residents fear as many as 100 students and staff may be involved.
“The exact number of abducted pupils is yet to be confirmed as security agencies continue to assess the situation,” a statement from Niger state authorities read.
The incident follows the kidnapping of 25 schoolgirls from a boarding school in Kebbi state on Monday, highlighting a recent surge in attacks by armed groups – locally referred to as bandits – across nigeria.
The escalating violence has prompted President Bola Tinubu to postpone planned foreign trips, underscoring the gravity of the security situation.Families in the Papiri area are currently awaiting news of their children, gripped by fear and uncertainty.
Nigeria has long struggled with banditry and kidnapping, notably in the northwest and central regions of the country. These groups often target villages, schools, and travelers, demanding ransom for their release. The recent increase in attacks raises concerns about the security of educational institutions and the safety of students across the nation.
