Community housing St Mary Catholic School suffers yet another tragedy as terrorists kill 42, abduct children

An unspecified number of people, including pupils and students of St Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area, who were recently released from captivity, have been abducted again by terrorists.

The terrorists, according to a reliable source, have occupied Kainji National Park, from where they launch constant attacks on communities within the axis.

According to the source, “They killed 37 people in Kasuwa Daji near Papiri, another five people in Kaima village and abducted many people, including children and some of the students who had earlier been released.

“The government and security agencies should come to our rescue. We have a serious crisis across the River Rofia, from where they cross over from Kebbi State to launch attacks.

“They came out of the forest about a week ago, wreaking havoc in the villages. Just yesterday (Saturday) alone, they burnt one particular market and abducted so many people, including children,” our source said.

The Director of Communications, Catholic Church of Kontagora Diocese, Rev Father Stephen Kabirat, who confirmed the incident, disclosed that the terrorists had killed over 40 people and taken an unspecified number of people into captivity.

“Our parish priest narrowly escaped abduction when the terrorists visited our mission house three days ago. They destroyed some religious items in the church, carted away two motorbikes and cash worth over two hundred thousand naira (N200,000).

“They were looking for the priest, but luckily, he escaped, but they abducted some villagers, including children.”

Another villager, while appealing to the relevant authorities, said, “As I am talking to you, some of the villages where the abducted schoolchildren come from have been sleeping in the bushes since their return because of the activities of the terrorists.”

Confirming the attacks, the Public Relations Officer of the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said that at about 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, the police received reports that suspected bandits attacked and killed over 30 persons and abducted an unconfirmed number of people.

The statement read, “At about 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, suspected bandits from the National Park forest along Kebe District invaded Kasuwan Daji located at Demo Village via Kebe village and killed over 30 persons, burnt the market and looted shops and carted away food items.

“A joint security team has visited the scene, and efforts are ongoing to rescue the victims. Further development will be communicated, please.”