Niger Government Faults School For Ignoring Security Directive Before Papiri Mass Abduction
By HALIMA TAKWAS
THE Niger State Government has condemned the abduction of pupils from St. Mary’s School in the Papiri community of Agwara Local Government Area, blaming the incident on the school’s failure to comply with a prior security directive.
In a statement issued on Friday, Secretary to the State Government, Abubakar Usman, said authorities had received credible intelligence warning of heightened security threats across parts of Niger North. Based on the alert, the government ordered the temporary closure of all boarding schools and instructed contractors to halt construction activities in the affected zone.
According to Mr. Usman, St. Mary’s School violated the directive by reopening without notifying the government or seeking formal clearance. “We had credible security alerts and directed all boarding schools in the zone to close,” he said. “St. Mary’s School went ahead to reopen and resume activities without any form of approval.”
He added that the government was still verifying the number of pupils taken by the attackers, as security agencies intensified search-and-rescue operations and launched a full investigation into the incident.
Mr. Usman urged school owners, community leaders and local authorities to strictly adhere to government advisories, stressing that compliance was essential to safeguarding lives. “The protection of lives, especially those of our children, remains our priority,” he said.
The attack in Papiri follows the recent abduction of 25 students in Maga, Kebbi State, highlighting renewed concerns over the vulnerability of schools in northern Nigeria amid rising security threats.
