Two weeks after the abduction of students, pupils, and staff of St Mary Catholic School in Papiri, Agwara LGA of Niger State, families and school authorities say they are still in the dark with no contact from the kidnappers and no confirmed information on the children’s whereabouts.
The attack, carried out on November 21 by suspected bandits, led to the abduction of 315 children and staff. About 50 of them managed to escape days later. After reviewing its records, the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora confirmed that 265 students, pupils, and workers remain in captivity.
Catholic Bishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna of Kontagora Diocese said neither the school nor parents have received any communication from the abductors. However, he said they remain hopeful following assurances from a federal government delegation led by National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu, who visited the diocese and promised that the children are safe and will be rescued.
Parents share the same mix of fear and hope. One of them, Dimas Joseph Mauhuta whose son Julius, a JSS 2 student, is among the abductees said he has not received any contact and is relying on the NSA’s assurances. “The government should act and come to our aid,” he pleaded.
The school’s head teacher, Rev Sister Blessing Amodu, also appealed emotionally for urgent help, saying all they want is the safe return of the children and staff.
The Niger State police spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, said updates would be made public “in due course,” noting that efforts are ongoing.
Schools Across Northern States Remain Shut Amid Kidnapping Fears
In Kebbi State, all public and private schools remain closed following a wave of kidnappings. School managements say they are waiting for an official resumption date. Some of the affected schools include Unity Government Girls’ College, Nagari College, Emir Haruna Rashid College, and others.
The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education said reopening may happen in January, though this has not been officially confirmed.
Bauchi State is considering reopening its schools after Christmas. Schools were shut 11 days ago due to rising insecurity. The Commissioner for Education, Dr Lawal Rimin-Zayam, said schools may resume next year, with first-term exams to be conducted immediately. He added that the closure period will be used to renovate facilities and strengthen security under the Safe Schools Initiative.
Kwara Strengthens Security Measures, University Relocates Campus
In Kwara State, the Federal Government College, Ilorin, was shut on November 21 in line with a directive from the Federal Ministry of Education affecting 47 Federal Unity Colleges nationwide.
Kwara State University also directed staff and students at its Ilesha-Baruba campus to relocate temporarily to the main campus in Malete as a preventive security measure ahead of its 13th convocation ceremony and the upcoming academic break.
The state government has activated enhanced security measures in several LGAs Ifelodun, Ekiti, Irepodun, Isin, and Oke Ero where schools may be more vulnerable to attacks. The measures, which may remain in place for a while, are designed to prevent kidnappers from using schoolchildren as shields amid intensified security operations.
