Niger State Kidnapping: Catholic Bishop Slams Government Over Rescue Efforts as Abductions Persist

A Catholic boarding school in Papiri village, Niger State, was the target of a mass abduction last Friday, with hundreds of students taken by criminal gangs. As the region grapples with the crisis, church leaders say the government has not done enough to secure the students’ safe return, while police officials counter that authorities are actively pursuing the case and that cooperation from the school is lacking.

What happened and who is involved

Officials and local leaders have provided differing figures. The Niger State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) says 303 students and 12 staff members were seized from St Mary’s boarding school, with about 50 pupils managing to escape and rejoin their families. Bishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, who chairs CAN in Niger and leads the Catholic Church in the region, told INLIBER that the government has taken little action beyond compiling the abducted students’ names.

"From the government, I have not seen any meaningful rescue effort beyond listing the names," the bishop said. He also rejected claims that the church was ordered to close the school amid threats, stating that no such instruction had been received.

Police authorities say officers have been deployed to Papiri and that the security presence around the school is robust, though INLIBER reporters observed only three officers at the site during a visit. The police commissioner insists a tactical team and other security agencies are stationed nearby, with Agwara town serving as the operational base. He also noted that the school has not formally reported the incident to his command yet.

Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, the Niger State police chief, suggested the discrepancy between official deployments and on-the-ground observations may reflect movement of officers between facilities as the search continues.

Broader security context in Nigeria

The Papiri abduction is part of a wave of attacks that have rocked Nigeria in recent days, with other incidents reported in Kebbi and Kwara states. In Kebbi, more than 20 schoolgirls, reportedly Muslims, were seized from a boarding school, while in Kwara state a church was attacked, resulting in deaths and multiple worshippers abducted.

At the national level, US and Nigerian officials have engaged in discussions aimed at strengthening security cooperation. US officials signaled a commitment to address violence against Christians and to counter West African jihadist groups, while Nigerian authorities contend that the crisis stems from criminality, extremism, and land-related conflicts rather than religious persecution. A working group to bolster defense and security cooperation was proposed during recent talks.

Impact on schools and daily life

The spate of abductions has forced the temporary closures of several boarding schools across the country as families rush to collect children and parents seek assurances of safety. In Lagos, authorities pledged enhanced security at educational and religious sites to deter future attacks.

As authorities investigate, President Bola Tinubu paused a scheduled trip to the G20 in order to focus on security crises at home. He later stated that all abducted worshippers in Kwara state had been rescued and pledged continued vigilance to safeguard all Nigerians.

INLIBER’s ongoing coverage includes contributions from regional journalists and international partners to provide a clearer picture of security conditions across the country.

Additional reporting by Chris Ewokor and Agayomi Adisa.

Key Takeaways

• The Papiri abduction involves hundreds of students; official counts vary, with CAN's Niger chapter citing 303 pupils and 12 staff missing.
• Bishop Yohanna accuses the government of limited rescue efforts, while police insist operations are ongoing and cooperation is needed.
• Nearby incidents in Kebbi and Kwara intensify concerns about safety in Nigerian boarding schools and religious sites.
• International discussions, including U.S. engagement, focus on countering violence and improving security coordination in West Africa.
• The crisis has driven school closures and heightened security measures in major cities, including Lagos.

Expert perspective

Security analyst note: The pattern of abductions reveals gaps in rapid-response coordination between security forces, schools, and communities. Stronger intelligence sharing and community partnerships are essential to prevent future incidents.

Summary

The Niger State abduction underscores a dangerous and ongoing security challenge in Nigeria, prompting criticism of initial government response while highlighting the need for coordinated action among security agencies, schools, and local leaders. As families await updates, authorities vow to intensify efforts to recover those abducted and to prevent further attacks. The episode also reflects broader regional security concerns as Nigeria grapples with criminality and extremist threats alongside complex local conflicts.

Key insight: Effective protection of students hinges on swift, coordinated action among government, security forces, schools, and communities. Source