Again gunmen strike, abduct 53 students, staff in Niger

Gunmen in Niger State have abducted about 53 students and staff members from St. Mary’s School in Papiri community,in the Agwara Local Government Area.

This fresh national tragedy is coming days after 26 female students were taken away by another set of gunmen from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State. The vice principal of the school was shut dead.

Two of the students have, however, escaped from their abductors.

Like the earlier one, the attackers in Niger State struck in the early hours of the day between 2am and 4am.

When contacted, the Spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said he would provide details later.

The Head of Department, Disaster and Relief, Agwara Local Government, Ahmed Abdullahi Rofia, confirmed the attack via telephone, saying the terrorists struck in the early hours of Friday morning.

Also, he State Governor, Umar Bago, confirmed the incident via his official Facebook handle on Friday.

It was detailed 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.

“The exact number of abducted pupils is yet to be confirmed as security agencies continue to assess the situation,” the release noted.