It has been a harvest of tragedies for Nigeria as terrorists and bandits have run riot with mass kidnapping of students, with the latest being the kidnapping of students of St. Mary’s Private (Catholic) Secondary School, Papiri Agwara Local government in Niger State.
While there are conflicting reports on the actual number of students and teachers kidnapped by the terrorists, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State, Dr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, put the figure at 227 persons.
The Chairman, CAN Niger State, Dr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, confirmed that 227 persons including teachers were abducted by terrorists in on Friday morning raid on St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri in Agwara local government area of the state.
Yohanna, in a statement e,-signed by Dan Atori, his media aide, stated: “From our record, 215 pupils and students including 12 teachers were abducted by the terrorists”.
He added: “I (Dr Yohanna)have just got back to the village this night after I visited the school where I also met with parents of the children to assure them that we are working with the government and security agencies to see that our children are rescued and brought back safely.
“The Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board (PSUBEB) has directed the immediate closure of schools across the state as follows: Government Junior Model Secondary Schools (GJMSSs) will close effective Saturday, 22 November 2025. Primary and Day Schools will close effective Monday, 24 November 2025. This decision is underscoring the urgent need for preventive action.
“The Board assures parents, guardians, and stakeholders that this closure is a temporary but necessary step to forestall potential threats and to reassure communities that the government is prioritising the well-being of our learners.”
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