Armed men invaded St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School in the early hours of Friday, abducting a large number of students and staff in one of the latest mass kidnappings to hit northern Nigeria.
The attackers reportedly invaded the school between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m., overpowering security personnel and whisking away students from their hostels. A security guard was said to have been shot and left critically injured during the incident.
Confirming the development, the Niger State Government described the abduction as “unfortunate and avoidable,” revealing that the school had reopened without government clearance despite earlier intelligence reports warning of heightened threats in the area.
The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora, under which the school operates, also confirmed the incident and condemned the assault on innocent children and educators. The Diocese assured parents that it was working closely with security agencies and government officials to ensure the safe return of the abducted students.
The government said a full investigation is underway alongside intensified search-and-rescue operations, adding that it is in constant communication with security agencies coordinating the response. It also urged school owners and community leaders to strictly comply with earlier security advisories.
“The safety of our people particularly our children remains this administration’s highest priority,” the statement read, appealing to residents to stay calm and cooperate with security personnel.updates as more information becomes available.
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