It has been a harvest of tragedies for Nigeria as terrorists and bandits have run riot with mass kidnapping of students, with the latest being the kidnapping of students of St. Mary’s Private (Catholic) Secondary School, Papiri Agwara Local government in Niger State.
While there are conflicting reports on the actual number of students and teachers kidnapped by the terrorists, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State, Dr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, put the figure at 227 persons.
The Chairman, CAN Niger State, Dr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, confirmed that 227 persons including teachers were abducted by terrorists in on Friday morning raid on St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri in Agwara local government area of the state.
Yohanna, in a statement e,-signed by Dan Atori, his media aide, stated: “From our record, 215 pupils and students including 12 teachers were abducted by the terrorists”.
He added: “I (Dr Yohanna)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.
“From our record, 215 pupils and students including 12 teachers were abducted by the terrorists.
“It is worthy to note that, during the terrorists’ attack, some students escaped and parents have started coming to pick up their children as the school has to be shutdown.”
The CAN chairman called on 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.
“May the Lord grant quick release to those abducted and continue to protect his people from all dangers” the clergyman said in the statement.”
THISDAY gathered that 11 students escaped from the claws of the terrorists and have reunited with their parents.
In response, the federal government, Katsina and Plateau States on Friday ordered the immediate closure of schools, a move underscoring the urgency of protecting children trapped on the frontlines of insecurity.
This comes two days after Kwara State Government directed the closure of schools across four Local government areas following escalating insecurity in the affected communities.
As fear spreads and security pressures mount, the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who led Nigeria’s delegation of security leaders to the United States over President Donald Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as ‘Country of Particular Concern,’ has met the United States Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth. The meeting, which was held at the Pentagon, saw both leaders discuss ways to make tangible progress on stopping alleged violence against Christians in Nigeria and combating West African jihadist terrorist groups. Hegseth emphasised the need for Nigeria to demonstrate commitment and take both urgent and enduring action to stop violence against Christians and conveyed the Department’s desire to work by, with, and through Nigeria to deter and degrade terrorists that threaten the United States.
A few days ago, about 25 girls of Girls Secondary School in Kebbi State were also abducted, leading to some advocates calling for a declaration of a state of emergency in security and kidnapping.
Reacting to the latest sad incident, the Niger State Government, while confirming the kidnap, claimed that the authorities of the St. Mary’s Private (Catholic) Secondary School, “ignored its security advisory” on the closure of schools in certain parts of the state as a result of insecurity.
However, security experts have urged the federal government to abrogate Nigeria’s outdated 1959 Firearms Act, arguing that the colonial-era legislation was no longer capable of addressing the country’s worsening insecurity, pointing out that law’s restrictive provisions have failed to curb the proliferation of sophisticated weapons in the hands of criminal groups, while enforcement gaps have left citizens vulnerable to banditry, terrorism, and violent crime.
Apparently miffed by the consistently successful raids on schools, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have , while condemning the renewed wave of schoolgirl kidnappings in parts of Northern Nigeria, accused the Federal Government of negligence, weak political will, and a failing security leadership that has allowed mass abductions to continue unchecked for more than a decade.
Also, Governors of Northern States under the aegis of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF), expressed deep distress over the kidnapping of pupils and teachers from St. Mary’s School, with the Chairman of the forum and Governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, describing the incident as a disturbing and unacceptable affront on the safety of children. He reiterated that schools must remain centres of learning, not spaces for violence.
In what appeared like an expression of regional concern, President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, called for global support to win the ongoing war on terrorism across West Africa and the Sahel region, insisting that if treated with kid gloves it poses existential threat to the area.
Also, former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, called for actionable plans to stop the ugly trend.
Katsina and Plateau have ordered the immediate closure of public schools in their respective States in response to escalating security threats in the northern region of the country.
For Katsina, the directive was issued on Friday, by its Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education.
The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Yusuf Jibia, confirmed the shutdown in an interview with DW Hausa, saying it was a precautionary measure following recent attacks in neighbouring states.
Similarly, Plateau State Government ordered the immediate closure of basic schools across the State, saying it was a temporary measure to enable it adopt security measures to protect students.
“The Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board (PSUBEB) has directed the immediate closure of schools across the state as follows: Government Junior Model Secondary Schools (GJMSSs) will close effective Saturday, 22 November 2025. Primary and Day Schools will close effective Monday, 24 November 2025. This decision is underscoring the urgent need for preventive action.
“The Board assures parents, guardians, and stakeholders that this closure is a temporary but necessary step to forestall potential threats and to reassure communities that the government is prioritising the well-being of our learners.”
Chuks Okocha, Michael Olugbode, Linus Aleke, Sunday Aborisade, Kuni Tyessi, Laleye Dipo, Segun Awofadeji, Sunday Ehigiator and Kemi Olaitan
