The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State chapter, has confirmed that 227 people—215 pupils and students and 12 teachers—were kidnapped during a deadly attack on St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Niger State. The incident, which occurred on Friday, November 21, 2025, has thrown communities in Niger State and across the country into deep fear and mourning.
The confirmation was made by the CAN chairman in the state, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese. He released the statement through his media aide, Mr. Dan Atori, in Minna.
The attack, carried out by suspected terrorists, is one of the largest school kidnappings in Nigeria in recent years. It adds to the growing list of mass abductions targeting schools, a trend that has continued to put students, teachers and entire communities at risk, especially in the northern part of the country.
According to Bishop Yohanna, several students managed to escape during the attack. As the news spread, frightened parents rushed to the school, where they tried to identify their children and take them home. In the aftermath of the incident, the school was immediately shut down.
“We can confirm that 215 pupils and students, along with 12 teachers, were abducted. Some students escaped, and parents have begun collecting those who returned,” the CAN chairman said in the statement.
He added that CAN is already working closely with the Niger State Government and security agencies to ensure the safe release of all the abductees.
“We appeal for calm and prayers. Efforts are ongoing to rescue those kidnapped,” Bishop Yohanna said.
His message reflects the familiar pain Nigerians have been forced to endure through repeated attacks on schools over the past decade.
A Troubling Pattern of School Attacks
School kidnappings have become a major security challenge in Nigeria, particularly in states such as Niger, Kaduna, Zamfara, Kebbi and Katsina. These attacks are often linked to armed groups widely known as bandits or terrorists, who storm schools, break down dormitory doors, and abduct large numbers of students to demand ransom.
The attack on St. Mary’s Catholic Schools follows a troubling pattern seen in earlier incidents, including the 2014 abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls in Borno State, the 2018 kidnapping of Dapchi schoolgirls in Yobe, the 2020 abduction of students in Kankara, Katsina State, and the 2021 attack on Federal College of Forestry Mechanization in Kaduna, among many others.
Niger State itself has suffered several similar attacks. In February 2021, for example, more than 40 students and staff were kidnapped from Government Science College, Kagara. Communities across Rafi, Shiroro and Munya LGAs have also recorded repeated raids by armed groups.
The latest attack in Papiri shows that despite efforts by government and security agencies, terrorists continue to threaten rural communities and educational institutions.
Following the Friday morning attack, security operatives quickly launched search-and-rescue operations in the area. Although details remain limited, it is believed that the attackers moved the abductees into forested areas that stretch across parts of Niger, Kaduna and the Federal Capital Territory. These forests have long been used by criminal groups as hideouts.
A senior security official in the state, who spoke informally, said personnel from the police, military and local vigilante groups were already combing the bushes and tracking the movement of the terrorists. He added that reinforcements were being deployed to block possible escape routes.
However, many families remain anxious, as rescue operations in past cases have often taken days, weeks or even months. Some victims have been rescued through military efforts, while in other cases, communities have had to negotiate directly with kidnappers.
The mood in Papiri and surrounding communities remains tense. Parents who gathered at St. Mary’s described scenes of confusion and fear as they tried to account for their children. Some fainted on hearing that their children were missing, while others struggled to stay calm as they waited for updates from teachers and local authorities.
One parent said: “We left our children in school because we believed it was safe. Now we don’t know where they are. This is a nightmare.”
Teachers who survived the attack have not yet spoken publicly, but sources within the school said the attackers arrived heavily armed and moved quickly, overwhelming the few security personnel on duty.
In his statement, Bishop Yohanna emphasised the need for stronger protection of schools, especially in communities that have faced repeated threats. He said educational institutions should not be left vulnerable and appealed to both state and federal governments to prioritise the safety of children.
Security experts have also stressed that the government must strengthen community policing, invest in early-warning systems, and improve intelligence gathering. They note that terrorists often target schools because they are “soft targets” with minimal resistance.
The kidnapping of 227 people from St. Mary’s Catholic schools has once again exposed the deep security crisis Nigeria faces. It highlights the urgent need for coordinated action between government, security agencies and community leaders to prevent further attacks.
