Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the abduction of students and staff at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, describing the attack as “truly heartbreaking.”
Reacting on X on Friday to reports of the raid, Atiku asked, “How many more lives must be shattered before decisive action is taken?”
He called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on insecurity and tackle the menace with urgency.
“It is not too late for the government to finally declare a state of emergency on insecurity and confront this menace with the seriousness it deserves,” he said.
Tension gripped the Papiri community after armed men reportedly stormed the Catholic school between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. on Friday, abducting an unconfirmed number of students and staff. Sources within the Catholic Church in Niger State confirmed the attack, noting that the exact number of victims was still being determined.
According to the Niger State Government, the school had recently resumed operations despite a prior closure order, a decision that reportedly increased the risk to students and staff.
Security forces, including police and military personnel, have been deployed to the area to carry out rescue operations. The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora condemned the attack, urging swift and decisive action to secure the missing students and staff.
The raid comes just days after a similar abduction in Maga, Kebbi State, where 25 female students were kidnapped from a boarding school. The incidents have intensified nationwide concern over the escalating insecurity in schools across northern Nigeria.
