Five days after 25 school girls of Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, Maga in Kebbi State were abducted, gunmen have captured several students and members of staff from the St. Mary’s School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.
The incident reportedly occurred between 2am and 3am today.
In a statement, the Niger State Government said that ‘it has received with deep sadness the disturbing news of the kidnapping of pupils from St. Mary’s School in Agwara Local Government Area. The exact number of abducted pupils is yet to be confirmed as security agencies continue to assess the situation’.
‘In response to these 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 statement read.
Usman said that St. Mary’s School, however, proceeded to reopen and resume academic activities without notifying or seeking clearance from the state.
He further said: ‘Security agencies have since commenced a full-scale investigation and search-and-rescue operations to ensure the safe return of the pupils.
‘The Niger State Government is in close communication with all relevant security formations and will provide continuous updates as more information becomes available.
‘The government urges school proprietors, community leaders, and all stakeholders to adhere strictly to security advisories issued in the interest of public safety.
‘The protection of lives, especially those of our children, remains the utmost priority of this administration’.
In the Kebbi State incident, the Vice Principal of the school, Hassan Makuku was killed during the attack, while a security guard, Ali Shehu sustained gunshot injuries to his right hand.
