Nigeria’s insecurity crisis deepened on Friday after terrorists attacked St. Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State, abducting dozens of students and staff. Reports suggest the raid occurred between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m., with armed men storming the school and whisking away victims in vehicles.
Reacting to the incident, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar described the attack as “truly heartbreaking” and urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare a state of emergency on insecurity. Writing on X (formerly Twitter), Atiku lamented:
“Not again. This is truly heartbreaking. How many more lives must be shattered before decisive action is taken? It is not too late for the government to finally declare a state of emergency on insecurity and confront this menace with the urgency it deserves.”
The Catholic Diocese of Niger State confirmed the raid, noting that pupils, teachers, and even a security guard were abducted, while one staff member was shot. Panic has spread across Papiri and surrounding communities as families await updates on the fate of their loved ones.
Security sources estimate that between 50 and 100 people may have been taken, though the exact number remains unclear as assessments continue.
Atiku’s call reflects growing frustration among Nigerians over repeated mass kidnappings, especially targeting schools in northern states. Analysts warn that the abduction underscores the failure of intelligence coordination and the urgent need for decisive government action.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has pledged that the federal government will deploy all necessary resources to rescue the abducted students, while President Tinubu has directed security agencies to intensify operations in Niger State.
The attack is the latest in a series of assaults on schools, recalling the Chibok (2014) and Dapchi (2018) abductions, which drew global outrage.
