The Niger State Government has directed all public and private primary and secondary schools to shut down following the abduction of pupils from St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area.
The directive was contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Bologi Ibrahim, on 22 November 2025.
Governor Umaru Bago announced the decision after a security meeting with heads of security agencies. He said all missionary and Islamic schools, as well as Federal Government Colleges, including FGC Minna, are to suspend academic activities until further notice.
Tertiary schools will continue to operate, except those located in what the government described as “defined vulnerable areas” in the Niger North and Niger East Senatorial Districts.
The Governor urged security agencies, civil society groups, organised labour, and religious bodies to direct their attention to the safe return of the abducted children. He stressed that the administration remains committed to safeguarding the population, describing the attack as “sad and unfortunate.”
He added that the exact number of pupils taken from St. Mary’s Catholic School was still being determined, as the Department of State Services, the Police, and other agencies were carrying out a headcount to confirm the figure.
