Police, Military Launch Major Search After Students Kidnapped in Niger State

By Valentine Uchechukwu Ndukwu

Police, Military Launch Major Search After Students Kidnapped in Niger State

Armed bandits attacked St. Mary’s Catholic Secondary School in Papiri, Niger State, around 2:00 a.m. on Friday, kidnapping an unknown number of students from the hostel.

The incident is the latest in a worrying spike of school abductions across the state.

Security agencies confirmed the attack and said they began operations immediately after receiving the distress report.

According to the Niger State Police Command, police tactical teams, soldiers, and other security units have been deployed to the area and are searching nearby forests to locate and rescue the missing students.

The Commissioner of Police, Adamu Elleman, assured the public that everything is being done to bring the students back safely.

He urged residents to stay calm and offer any useful information that could support the rescue efforts.

The police also revealed that the school should not have been operating, as the state government previously ordered schools in that area to close due to security threats.

The CP said the matter will be investigated and that the school management may face consequences for ignoring the directive.

Meanwhile, the search-and-rescue mission continues as security forces intensify efforts to track down the abductors and ensure the safe return of the students.