Terrorists attacked St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, Niger State, Nigeria, in the early hours of Friday, November 21, 2025, kidnapping over 200 pupils and teachers.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State has confirmed that 215 pupils and 12 teachers were abducted.
CAN Chairman in Niger State, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, gave the confirmation on Friday, stating that the incident is one of the most significant school abductions in the state in recent years.
“I have just got back to the village this night after I visited the school where I also met with parents of the children to assure them that we are working with the government and Security agencies to see that our children are rescued and brought back safely,” Yohanna said.
He added that some children managed to escape during the attack, and parents have been returning to take their children home as the school has been closed.
Yohanna added, “It is worthy to note that during the terrorists attack, some students escaped and parents have started coming for pick up their children as the school has to be shutdown.”
He appealed for calm, saying CAN is working closely with authorities: “I want to call for everyone to remain calm and prayerful, and I also want to assure you that we are actively collaborating with security Operatives, community leaders and government authorities for the safe and quick return of all abductees.”
Niger State Police Command had eralier confirmed the abduction of unspecified number of students from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, after armed men attacked the school around 2 a.m. on Friday.
