Nigeria Faces Fresh Horror as Papiri Students Are Re-Abducted

Fresh tragedy has struck Niger State as terrorists attacked communities in Agwara Local Government Area, killing at least 40 people and abducting several villagers, including students of St Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri.

PremiumTimesNg.com reported on January 4 that the affected schoolchildren were reabducted just days after regaining freedom from an earlier captivity following negotiations with the government. Residents say the attackers operated from the Kainji National Park, leaving communities devastated and families displaced.

Reacting to the incident, President Bola Tinubu condemned the attack and directed security agencies to rescue the captives and bring the perpetrators to justice.

The Church confirmed the attack. Stephen Kabirat, director of communications for the Diocese of Kontagora, told BusinessDay.ng on January 5 that a parish priest narrowly escaped abduction days earlier. “They vandalised religious items, took two motorcycles and more than ₦200,000 in cash. They came looking for the priest, but he escaped.” Kabirat added that they abducted villagers, including children.

In late November 2025, hundreds of students and teachers were initially kidnapped from St Mary’s School in Papiri, with many later released or rescued after negotiations.

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