Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called for the declaration of a state of emergency on insecurity following the abduction of students and staff of St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.
Reacting to news reports of the attack on Friday, Atiku described the incident as “truly heartbreaking,” warning that Nigeria cannot continue to tolerate recurring assaults on schools.
“How many more lives must be shattered before decisive action is taken?” he wrote on X.
He urged the Federal Government to escalate its response to the worsening security situation, noting that extraordinary measures are now necessary. “It is not too late for the government to finally declare a state of emergency on insecurity and confront this menace with the urgency it deserves,” Atiku said.
Armed men reportedly stormed the Catholic school between 2 am and 3 am on Friday, abducting an unspecified number of students and staff. Church officials confirmed the attack but said efforts were ongoing to determine the exact number of victims.
The Niger State Government disclosed that the school had resumed academic activities despite a previous closure directive, describing the decision as a breach that exposed students and workers to danger.
Police and military personnel have since been deployed to the area to track the kidnappers and rescue the abducted persons.
The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora also condemned the attack, urging swift and coordinated security action to ensure the safe return of the victims.
The raid comes just days after terrorists abducted 25 students from a girls’ boarding school in Maga, Kebbi State, deepening concerns over the rapid escalation of school-targeted attacks across northern Nigeria.
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