The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora has reported that 88 additional students are missing following the attack on St. Mary Secondary School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area, Niger State.

According to reports, many parents rushed to the school in an attempt to evacuate their children, but were unable to locate them after the raid.

The initial attack, which occurred in the early hours of Friday, saw terrorists abduct both students and staff members.

In a statement on Saturday morning, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, Bishop of the Kontagora Diocese, confirmed that the total number of missing students has now risen to 303.

Previously, 215 students were reported missing, alongside four female and eight male teachers who were also kidnapped during the incident.

The school, Bishop Yohanna noted, had a total enrollment of 430 primary pupils and 199 secondary students.

Addressing claims from the Secretary to the State Government that warnings were issued prior to the attack, the Bishop categorically denied receiving any notification from either government authorities or security agencies.

He said through his aide, Daniel Atori:

“We asked the Education Secretary if he received any circular, he said no. We asked if he was verbally informed, he said no. We also checked with the National Association of Private Schools; they too did not receive any such notice. Claims that the school was shut down and recently reopened are not true. We are law-abiding, and this misinformation must be corrected.”

The Bishop’s office continues to appeal for urgent government intervention to ensure the safe return of the kidnapped students and staff.

A wave of mass school closures has swept across northern Nigeria as state governments scramble to contain escalating attacks on educational institutions.

Yobe, Kwara, Kano, Kebbi, Kaduna, Plateau, Sokoto, Katsina, Niger, and Taraba states have announced sweeping shutdowns or heightened security measures following a series of violent incidents and kidnappings.

Governor Mai Mala Buni ordered the immediate shutdown of all boarding secondary schools after a state security meeting reviewed threats across all 17 LGAs.

Mohammed Mamman, the governor’s spokesperson, said the action followed a formal notice from the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education.

He quoted the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Bukar Aji Bukar, saying all secondary schools must remain closed until the security situation improves.

Buni urged residents to pray for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and security agencies as efforts to stabilise the state continue.

In Kwara, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq introduced enhanced security around schools and worship centres following an attack at Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Isegun, in Eruku, where six worshippers were killed and 30 abducted.

A senior government official revealed that some measures remain confidential due to their sensitivity.

The Nigeria Union of Teachers confirmed that schools in Isin, Irepodun, Ifelodun, and Ekiti LGAs were instructed to close immediately.

State NUT Chairman, Yusuf Agboola said schools were ordered to treat the directive with utmost urgency.

In Kano, Governor Abba Yusuf approved the deployment of 1,600 watchmen across public secondary schools.

The move followed the abduction of 25 girls and the killing of a vice-principal in neighbouring Kebbi State.

Yusuf’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature, said the new recruits would help restore discipline and ensure daily school activities run safely.

Kebbi State closed schools in communities affected by recent attacks.

Special Adviser Abdullahi Idris Zuru said the government inherited serious banditry challenges but has since assisted military operations with improved logistics.

Schools in both urban and rural areas are now under continuous joint surveillance by the army, police, vigilantes, and DSS operatives.

Kaduna State sustained its implementation of the Safe Schools Policy, which includes risk mapping, community engagement, and improved coordination with security agencies.

Patrols around vulnerable communities have been enhanced, and emergency response mechanisms activated.

The Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board ordered the closure of basic schools after intelligence reports indicated potential threats.

Affected schools are to remain shut pending strengthened security arrangements.

A parent in Shendam said students were dismissed following threat reports, though local police claimed they had not received such intel.

Sokoto State reaffirmed its policy of relocating all boarding schools to urban centres.

Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Prof. Ibrahim Alhassan, said the recent Kebbi abduction stalled earlier plans to return schools to their original rural locations.

Katsina State, which has recorded hundreds of abductions since 2020, has intensified physical security through community-based child protection committees.

Some schools now have fencing, guards, and trained dogs. Psychosocial support programmes and teacher training are ongoing.

Niger State shut boarding schools in insecure areas after receiving credible intelligence of impending attacks.

Secretary to the State Government, Abubakar Usman, disclosed that St. Mary’s Secondary School reopened without official clearance before Friday’s kidnapping incident, leaving pupils vulnerable.

Security agencies have launched rescue operations.

In Taraba, Governor Agbu Kefas directed all secondary schools, public and private, to close their boarding facilities due to rising abductions.

Commissioner for Education, Dr. Augustina Godwin, said the security trend has made boarding students especially vulnerable.

At the national level, the Federal Ministry of Education ordered the temporary closure of 44 Unity Colleges due to mounting security concerns.

Minister Tunji Alausa approved the directive, and a revised list corrected duplicated entries.

The shutdowns follow a series of mass abductions in Kebbi and Niger States, where dozens of students were taken in separate attacks.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Waidi Shaibu, has appealed for public cooperation as military operations intensify across affected regions.

The Niger State Government has ordered the immediate closure of all public and private schools across the state following a renewed wave of insecurity involving schoolchildren in Agwara Local Government Area.

The directive, issued through a circular from the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education on November 22, 2025, comes in response to the kidnapping of students of St. Mary Catholic Church, Papiri, in Agwara.

The circular, signed by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Hajiya Aishetu Nuhu, was addressed to Area Directors, Education Secretaries, principals, head teachers, and proprietors of all categories of schools, including missionary, Islamic, and private institutions, as well as Federal Government Colleges operating within the state.

According to the ministry, Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago ordered the shutdown as a precautionary measure to prevent further attacks on schools and safeguard the lives of children.

“The closure is to protect schoolchildren from being exposed to additional security breaches until the situation is brought under control,” the statement read.

The directive affects all primary and secondary schools, and the ministry emphasized that compliance is compulsory.

It further stated that no school is allowed to reopen in any form until an official clearance is issued by the state government.

The government described the measure as necessary, citing the rising cases of abductions targeting educational institutions in the region.

The latest incident has heightened fear among parents and increased pressure on the government to act decisively.

While reassuring stakeholders of its commitment to restoring safety, the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education encouraged cooperation from school authorities as security operations continue in the affected areas.