Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, has ordered the immediate closure of all schools in the state following the abduction of students from a Catholic school in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area. The directive was announced during a press briefing after an expanded security meeting in Minna on Saturday.

Governor Bago described the incident as unfortunate and avoidable, emphasizing that the focus should be on rescuing the abducted children rather than assigning blame. He called on security agencies, civil society organizations, labor unions, and religious leaders to unite in their efforts to secure the release of the kidnapped students.

The closure affects all private, primary, and secondary schools, as well as religious schools, Federal Government College Minna, and schools of nursing in Bida and Kontagora. The governor stated that the closure would be in effect until further notice, serving as an early Christmas break for primary and secondary schools due to prevailing security concerns.

The exact number of abducted students has not been confirmed, as security agencies are currently conducting headcounts. An official statement is expected to be issued later in the day. The abduction occurred on Thursday at St. Mary Private Primary and Secondary school in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area.

Governor Bago reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting the lives and property of its citizens, emphasizing that Niger State is still their home and Nigeria is their country. He urged all stakeholders to work together to address the security challenges facing the state.

The incident has raised concerns about the safety of schools in the region, highlighting the need for increased security measures to prevent such incidents in the future. The governor’s directive to close all schools is a precautionary measure aimed at protecting students and preventing further abductions. The situation is being closely monitored, and updates are expected as more information becomes available.