At least 215 pupils and 12 teachers were abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, after terrorists raided the school on Friday.

An official from the Catholic Diocese of Kotangora, speaking anonymously, said over 300 students were initially reported missing following the attack. Some pupils, however, managed to return to the school after the assailants left.

“They invaded the school as early as 2 a.m. Friday morning, firing shots into the air during the attack. Some students escaped by hiding or jumping over the school fence. By 6 a.m., several pupils who had taken cover in nearby bushes had returned. It was a terrible incident,” the source said.

The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, confirmed that 215 pupils and 12 teachers remain in the kidnappers’ custody.

“I returned to the village this evening after visiting the school and meeting with parents to reassure them that we are collaborating with the government and security agencies to ensure the safe rescue of our children,” Yohanna stated.

The mass abduction has heightened fears nationwide. Many private and public schools have suspended terminal examinations and closed their gates over security concerns.

The Federal Ministry of Education announced the immediate closure of 41 Unity Colleges across the country. Likewise, the governments of Plateau and Katsina states have ordered all schools in their jurisdictions to shut down until further notice.