Niger Govt faults school for reopening before bandit attack

Although full details of the raid are still emerging, it was reported that multiple sources confirmed that several students were taken when armed men invaded the school in the middle of the night.

Ahmed Abdullahi Rofia, Head of Department, Disaster and Relief in Agwara LGA, confirmed the incident by phone. He said the attackers struck between 2:00 am and 3:00 am, noting that authorities were still trying to ascertain the exact number of pupils and staff abducted.

In a statement issued on Friday by the Secretary to the State Government, Abubakar Usman, the government disclosed that it had earlier received credible intelligence pointing to heightened security threats in parts of the Niger North Senatorial District.

He explained that, based on that warning, the state had halted all construction work and ordered the temporary shutdown of boarding schools in the affected areas.

“This unfortunate incident comes despite prior intelligence report obtained by the government indicating an increased threat level in parts of the Niger North Senatorial District.

“In response to these credible security alerts, the State Government had earlier issued a clear directive suspending all construction activities and ordering the temporary closure of all boarding schools within the affected zone as a precautionary measure.

“Regrettably, St. Mary’s School proceeded to reopen and resume academic activities without notifying or seeking clearance from the State Government, thereby exposing pupils and the staff to avoidable risk,” Usman said.

Usman added that security agencies were still working to confirm the number of children taken.

He noted that a full investigation and search-and-rescue effort was already underway to ensure the safe recovery of the students.

“The Government urges school proprietors, community leaders, and all stakeholders to adhere strictly to security advisories issued in the interest of public safety. The protection of lives, especially those of our children, remains the utmost priority of this administration.

“We call on the public to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing any useful information that may aid ongoing efforts,” the statement added.

The attack came only days after another school abduction in Maga, Kebbi State, where 25 students were seized, adding to growing fears over worsening insecurity in schools across the region.

On Thursday, authorities in Kwara State shut down more than 50 schools due to bandit activities.

President Bola Tinubu recently cancelled his planned visits to South Africa and Angola to coordinate the federal response to the rising security threats.