Some students and members of staff of St. Mary’s School, Papiri community, Agwara local government area of Niger State have been abducted.
The latest abduction came three days after Kebbi State government confirmed the abduction of 25 female students of Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, during which the school’s vice principal was killed by the invaders.
Confirming the incident on Friday in Minna the Niger State government said the number of victims was yet to be ascertained, adding that security agencies were still assessing the situation.
However, a resident of the area who preferred anonymity said that the abducted pupils and members of staff were not fewer than 100.
He said the terrorists stormed the school premises around 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. and abducted the victims
Alhaji Abubakar Usman Secretary to Niger State government, in a statement condemned the incident.
Usman said the incident occurred in spite of earlier intelligence reports indicating heightened security threats in parts of Niger North Senatorial District.
According to him, the government, based on the intelligence, had ordered the suspension of all construction activities and the temporary closure of all boarding schools in the affected zone.
He said, however St. Mary’s School reopened and resumed academic activities without notifying or seeking clearance from the government, thereby exposing pupils and staffers to danger.
The SGG said security agencies had commenced full-scale investigation and search-and-rescue operations to ensure the safe return of the pupils.
He further said that the state government was in close contact with relevant security formations and would give updates as more information were available.
He urged school proprietors, community leaders and stakeholders to comply strictly with government security advisories.
Usman appealed to the public to remain calm and provide useful information that could assist security agencies in their operations.
The Niger State Police Command was yet to comment on the development.
Source: NAN
READ ALSO:
Averting the impending southern invasion
DAME holds 34th awards in Lagos on Tuesday
AU challenges youths to take lead in peace, justice processes
20% of world’s children trapped in extreme poverty -UNICEF
Kebbi girls: Tinubu directs defence minister to relocate to state
NIS, NIMC state reasons for need to work more closely
BREAKING: IPOB leader, Kanu, sentenced to life imprisonment
Police arrest man for allegedly killing wife, hiding corpse in sack
Judgement day: Judge orders Kanu out of court for being unruly
