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The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora has refuted claims that St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara L.G.A., Niger State, was given prior warning about the attack and ignored it.
According to the diocese in a release by Rev. Father Jatau Luka Joseph, Diocesan Secretary, the school had taken security measures, including employing special local security operatives and working with security agencies.
This contradicts the Niger State Government’s statement that a warning to close down the school was issued, but the management chose to ignore it.
The diocese’s statement emphasized that they did not receive any circular or warning from the authorities, calling it an “afterthought and a way to shift blame.”
According to him, “This incident took place while all the Rev. Sisters were present on the compound, contrary to the misleading information circulating that Sr. Felicia Gyang Ola, the Principal, had travelled to Abuja when the incident occurred.”
Also, in an interview, the Principal of the school, Rev. Sis. Felicia Gyam Ola, equally denied the receipt of any warning letter from the Ministry of Education to close down the school.
“We didn’t receive an official communication from the State Government to that effect. Nobody reached out to the school prior to the attack,” she insisted.
The statement, signed by Rev. Father Jatau Luka Joseph, Diocesan Secretary, said the school is owned by the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora and managed by Our Lady of Apostles Sisters (OLA).
Rev. Joseph also said the attack occurred between 1:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. on November 21, 2025, with heavily armed bandits abducting pupils, students, and teachers.
He explained that so far 315 people are unaccounted for, including 303 pupils and 12 teachers.
Rev. Joseph also said, according to survivors, the attackers operated aggressively and without interruption for nearly three hours, moving through dormitories and rooms before taking the victims away in vans.
“The incident has left the entire community traumatized and devastated. In May 2021, when we heard rumours of security threats, we did not hesitate to act; we closed the school for about five months. This decision was made solely by the school management; it was not suggested by anyone.
“When we later resumed, we went further by employing special local security operatives from Kwara State to safeguard our pupils, students, and staff, because we deeply value their lives and future. This, too, was entirely our own initiative. When the school management later chose to work closely with the security agencies for updates and advice, that was also our independent decision.”
“The information circulating that we failed to adhere to warnings to shut down boarding facilities, or that we ignored any prior notice before the incident, is not accurate, as we are known for complying with orders and directives,” he maintained.
The diocese then appealed for calm and prayerful support for the safe return of the abductees while calling on the media to report responsibly and refrain from sharing unverified claims.
The diocese secretary further stated that the diocese is cooperating with investigative processes and will provide updates as more information becomes available.
Niger Kidnap: School principal debunks claims of receiving warning letter before attack
