The Niger State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has condemned the abduction of schoolchildren and staff of a Catholic schools in Papiri.

In a statement, the association expressed deep concern for the safety of the kidnapped children and their families.

The Chairman, Most. Rev. Bulus Yohanna, assured the public that the Church is actively collaborating with security agencies, community leaders, and government authorities.

The Chairman, who is also the Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, called on the public to remain calm, support security efforts, and continue to pray for the safe and quick return of all abductees.

This comes as armed men attacked the Catholic boarding school in Nigeria and abducted several schoolchildren and staff early today.

Abubakar Usman, the Secretary to the Niger state government disclosed that he attack and abductions took place at St. Mary’s School, a Catholic institution in the Agwara local government’s Papiri community. He did not disclose the number of students and staff abducted, nor who might be responsible for the attack.

The Niger State Police Command said that the abductions took place in the early hours of today and that military and security forces have since been deployed to the community. It described St. Mary’s as a secondary school, which in Nigeria would serve children between the ages of 12 and 17.

The statement by the Secretary to the Niger state government said that the incident occurred despite prior intelligence warning of heightened threats. “Regrettably, St. Mary’s School proceeded to reopen and resume academic activities without notifying or seeking clearance from the State Government, thereby exposing pupils and the staff to avoidable risk,” it read.

The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora said in a statement that a security staffer was “badly shot” during the attack.

In an official statement signed by the Diocesan Secretary, Rev. Fr. Jatau Luka Joseph, the diocese described the incident as shocking and deeply troubling, expressing grave concern for the safety and well-being of the abducted victims.

The diocese assured the public that it was collaborating closely with security operatives, community leaders, and government authorities to locate and rescue the abducted individuals.

Calling for calm among residents, the diocese urged the public to support ongoing security efforts and to continue praying for the quick, safe return of all those abducted.

The Latest In A Spare Of Abductions

The attack at the Catholic school is the latest in a spate of abductions in Nigeria.

The abductions took place days after gunmen on Monday attacked a high school and abducted 25 schoolgirls in the neighboring Kebbi state, in Maga, around 170 km (105 miles) from Papiri. One of the girls later escaped and is safe, the school’s principal said.

In a separate attack in Kwara state, which borders Niger state, armed men attacked a church, killing 2 people. During the attack, 38 worshippers were also abducted, Femi Agbabiaka, Secretary of the Christ Apostolic Church, told a news agency. He said that the armed men are demanding a ransom of 100 million naira ($69,000), for each of the abductees.

In light of Monday’s abductions and the attack on the church, Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu postponed his trip to this weekend’s Group of 20 summit in South Africa.

Nigeria’s Vice-President Kashim Shettima said during a visit to Kebbi state on Wednesday, “We will use every instrument of the state to bring these girls home and to ensure that the perpetrators of this wickedness face the full weight of justice.”

No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks in Niger and Kebbi state, but analysts and locals say gangs often target schools, travelers and remote villagers in kidnappings for ransom.

Authorities say the gunmen are mostly former herders who have taken up arms against farming communities after clashes between them over strained resources.