Police and Military Mobilize to Save Kidnapped Students in Niger State

In the early hours of Friday, armed bandits stormed St. Mary’s Private (Catholic) Secondary School in Papiri, located in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, abducting an undetermined number of students from the school hostel. PM News Nigeria

Following the attack, tactical units from both the Nigeria Police Force and the military were swiftly deployed, combing nearby forests in a coordinated bid to locate and rescue the missing students.

What Happened at St. Mary’s School

According to SP Wasiu Abiodun, spokesperson for the Niger State Police, the attack took place at around 2 a.m., when the assailants invaded the school’s dormitories.

Police confirmed the incident and immediately called in both tactical police units and military personnel to begin a search and rescue operation.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, urged calm, promising that rescuers are working

“to bring back the students unhurt.”

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In the same breath, he announced an investigation into the school’s management, noting that they reportedly defied earlier state government directives to shut down schools in the region because of security risks.

Sources indicate that police tactical teams, supported by military units and other security agencies, are actively combing surrounding forest areas to track the abductors and locate the students.

In a public statement, SP Abiodun said:

“Police tactical units, military components and other security agencies have moved to the scene, combing the forests with a view to rescuing the abducted students.”

Tensions Over School Operations

The Niger State Police have also raised concerns about the school’s decision to keep operating despite earlier government directives ordering school closures in volatile areas.

According to CP Elleman, action will be taken against the school for allegedly putting students at risk by reopening when insecurity remains high.

What’s Next

• Security teams remain in the field, and the rescue operation is ongoing.

• Police are appealing to local residents for credible intelligence that could assist in freeing the abducted students.

• Authorities have promised a full investigation into how the school defied closure orders amid clear warnings about prevailing security risks.

As families wait anxiously and security forces intensify the search, CP Elleman’s pledge stands as a commitment:

“We will do everything in our power to bring these students back safely,” he said.

This incident serves as yet another reminder of the fragile security environment facing many schools in northern Nigeria and how high the stakes remain for students, parents, and communities.