Niger State Government

Force in Play

Front‑line authority for Papiri, criticized for downplaying numbers and failing to prevent attack

On November 21, 2025, armed men abducted 315 people—303 pupils and 12 staff—from St. Mary's Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Niger State. Around 50 children later escaped, but the mass abduction was one of Nigeria's largest since Chibok in 2014 and sparked national outrage that exposed deep security failures. U.S. officials weighed sanctions to pressure Nigeria to protect Christian communities and other civilians targeted in northern violence.

Updated May 10