Nigeria recorded another attack by gunmen on Friday at St. Mary’s Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, in Niger State in northern Nigeria.
According to local media reports, the gunmen stormed the school located in the Agwara Local Government Area of the state, in the early hours of Friday with over 60 motorcycles and a van.
The school’s gatekeeper was said to have been shot and injured by the gunmen, while some teachers were abducted along with some students.
Meanwhile, the State Governor, Alhaji Umar Bago, has also confirmed the incident via his official Facebook handle on Friday.
In a statement titled, “Niger State Government Condemns Kidnapping of pupils in Papiri area in Agwara Local Government, Reiterates Earlier Security Directive.”
“The Niger State Government has received with deep sadness the disturbing news of the kidnapping of pupils from St. Mary’s School in Agwara Local Government Area.”
In addition, the Niger State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of the students.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said that tactical units, alongside military components and other security operatives, had been deployed to the area.
Abiodun stated that the combined security forces were currently conducting extensive search operations across the surrounding forests in an effort to ensure the immediate and safe rescue of the abducted students.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Elleman, called on residents to remain calm and cooperate with security operatives by providing credible information that could assist ongoing rescue efforts.
Elleman, however, said that the incident would be thoroughly investigated, stressing that appropriate actions would be taken against the school management for continuing academic activities despite the state government’s earlier directive ordering the closure of schools in the area due to heightened security threats.
Although, no life has been lost in the current attack, but the number of students kidnapped is not certain. However, there are reports that more than 50 students were kidnapped.
It will be recalled that about a week ago gunmen kidnapped 26 girls from the Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School (GGCSS) in Maga, Kebbi State in northern Nigeria.
The attack on the Kebbi School claimed the life of the school’s Vice Principal, Malam Hassan Makuku, who was reportedly killed while trying to prevent the bandits from taking the girls away.
GIK/APA