Catholic Diocese of Kontagora Reports 88 Additional Students Missing After Papiri School Attack

The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora has confirmed that 88 more students have been reported missing following the harrowing attack on St Mary Secondary School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State. This brings the total number of unaccounted students to 303, according to an update from the Diocese on Saturday morning.

Parents, many of whom rushed to the school in a desperate bid to evacuate their children, reportedly returned home empty-handed, unable to locate their wards. Earlier reports indicated that 215 students were missing in the immediate aftermath of the attack, which also saw the abduction of four female and eight male teachers, highlighting the scale and ruthlessness of the assault.

School Population and Attack Details

Most. Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora, provided insight into the school’s enrolment figures, noting that St Mary School hosts 430 pupils in the primary section and 199 students in the secondary section. Speaking through his aide, Daniel Atori, the Bishop emphatically refuted claims suggesting that the school had received prior warnings from either government authorities or security agencies.

“We have asked the Education Secretary if he received a circular; he said no. If he was asked to send any to us, he said no. We asked if he was verbally informed, he also said no. Let them tell the world who they gave the circular to, or through what channel did they send it,” Atori said.

The Bishop also confirmed that enquiries with the National Association of Private Schools revealed that no circulars or official warnings had been communicated. He added that claims suggesting the school had been shut down and reopened shortly before the attack were entirely untrue, emphasising the school’s commitment to lawful operations.

Akahi News gathered that the incident has sent shockwaves across Niger State, with authorities yet to provide a detailed account of rescue efforts or security responses. Observers have raised concerns over lapses in school security, noting the vulnerability of students and staff in regions prone to terrorist attacks.

The Diocese continues to appeal for urgent intervention to ensure the safe recovery of all missing students and teachers, while urging government agencies to provide timely, transparent information to the affected families.

The unfolding situation at Papiri underscores the ongoing security challenges confronting Nigeria’s educational institutions, as communities demand stronger protective measures to safeguard children in conflict-prone areas.

By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
Joseph Iyaji is a journalist, educator, and founder of Akahi G. International, Akahi Tutors, and Akahi News. Read more about him here.
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