In the early hours of the morning, armed men broke into the facility St. Mary’s Schoola Catholic institution with functions boarding school (internship) in Agwara districtin Nigeria. The school houses middle and elementary school students, but the focus of the attacks targeted older student dormitories.
According to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) at least they have been kidnapped 303 students together 12 teachers: This figure is known after verification and the final census. Most of the students – about 88 people – were reportedly captured while trying to escape during the attack.
The school, according to initial reports, is located in a remote area, near the main road connecting the towns of Yelwa and Mokwa. The complex, according to satellite imagery and descriptions, includes more than 50 buildings including classrooms and dormitories. Local witnesses reported that there was no strong law enforcement presence: there were only local guards and minimal supervision, and there was no adequate police or military deployment at the time of the attack.
The government statement said that early warnings had been received indicating an increased risk in the region and – according to the state – the school had reopened without government notification or permission, thereby exposing itself to “avoidable risks“.
Meanwhile, security forces have been activated: tactical units of the state police and army have been sent to search the surrounding forest in the hope of identifying the vehicles used by the kidnappers and the detained youth.
This attack is part of a broader context of escalation kidnapping at school in central and northwestern Nigeria. The kidnapping came just four days after 25 students were abducted in similar circumstances in a nearby town Witchin Kebbi state, 170 kilometers away. No group claimed responsibility for the abduction and authorities said tactical teams were deployed alongside local hunters. The motivation behind these attacks appears to be related to the phenomenon the so-called “bandits” – armed groups operating in forest or rural areas, often involved in robbery, kidnapping for ransom, and conflict with agricultural communities.
At an institutional level, this event has been a success
sparked strong reactions: Nigerian president, Tinubu Ballcanceled travel plans to address the crisis and urged increased state response to school safety.
