At least 303 students are missing after terrorists attacked St. Mary Secondary School in Niger State on Friday.
The assailants stormed the school in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, in the early hours, kidnapping numerous students and staff members.
Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna of the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora confirmed the abductions in a statement on Saturday morning.
He added that four female and eight male teachers were also kidnapped during the brazen raid, heightening fears in the region.
Niger State authorities said the school reopened without government clearance, despite an earlier directive suspending boarding activities amid security concerns.
Yohanna denied receiving any warning from government or security agencies, challenging claims made by the secretary to the state government.
“We asked the education secretary if he received a circular; he said no. Let them tell the world who they informed,” Yohanna said.
He further stated that the National Association of Private Schools also confirmed they received no such notice regarding the school’s reopening.
Meanwhile, the federal government ordered the temporary closure of 47 Unity Colleges nationwide due to escalating security threats across the country.
Binta Abdulkadir, Director of Senior Secondary Education, said Dr Tunji Alausa approved the measure as a precaution amid mounting safety concerns.
Authorities continue to search for the missing students and staff, while families and communities await news amid mounting anxiety and uncertainty.
The attack marks another chapter in Nigeria’s growing struggle to secure schools and protect children from violent extremists.
