Niger State Government has disclosed that the management of St Mary’s School, Papiri in
Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, ignored intelligence report and resumed without clearance from the state government.

The brazen attack occurred between 2am and 3am, targeting pupils while the school was supposedly operating under heightened security threats.

The  State Government further expressed deep concern over the abduction, noting that the attack came despite prior intelligence warning of potential security risks in parts of Niger North.

The Secretary to the Niger State Government Abubakar Usman, also disclosed in a statement made available on Friday that the school had reopened and resumed academic activities without seeking clearance from the government.

He added that in response to the credible security alerts, the State Government had earlier issued a clear directive suspending all construction activities and ordering the temporary closure of all boarding schools within the affected zone as a precautionary measure,”

The NIger SSG  further assured that security agencies have launched full-scale investigations and search-and-rescue operations to secure the safe return of the abducted pupils.

He said,  “The Niger State Government is in close communication with all relevant security formations and will provide continuous updates as more information becomes available.”.

The state government appealed to school proprietors, community leaders, and other stakeholders to comply strictly with security advisories.

Tragedy struck the school’s staff as well. Hassan Makuku, the vice-principal of St Mary’s School, reportedly died during the attack, while Ali Shehu, a security guard, sustained a gunshot injury to his right hand.

The kidnapping at St Mary’s came  shortly after a similar incident in Kebbi State, where 25 female students were abducted from Government Girls’ Secondary School, Maga, highlighting a growing pattern of targeted attacks on educational institutions in Northern Nigeria.

As the community reels from the shock, the urgent call from authorities is for strict adherence to security advisories to prevent further tragedies.