Senator Sunday Karimi, the Chairman of the Committee on Senate Services, has urged State Governors to adopt community‑based security measures as the first line of defence to complement to federal efforts,
Karimi, who represents Kogi West Senatorial District, condemned the abduction of students at St. Mary’s School, a Catholic institution in Agwara local government’s Papiri community, in Niger.
He emphasised citizens’ participation through vigilant reporting and active involvement are crucial for protecting communities.
The senator said that the school‑related abductions were part of a broader insecurity pattern in Nigeria, but asserted that the conspirators’ plans will ultimately fail.
Karimi called on all Nigerians to remain steadfast in their confidence in the government, reiterating President Bola Tinubu’s the unwavering dedication to safeguard lives and property.
The Niger Police Command confirmed that armed bandits invaded the St. Mary’s Private (Catholic) Secondary School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area, of the state, in the early hours of Friday.
The police said that the gunner abducted an undetermined number of students from the school hostel.
According to a statement by the Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, SP W.A. Abiodun, police tactical units, military components, and other security agencies have moved to the scene, combing the forests with a view to rescuing the abducted students.
“In view of this, the Commissioner of Police, Niger State Command, CP Adamu Elleman, reiterated the command’s commitment to rescuing the students unharmed and appealed to members of the public to remain calm and support security operations.
“He further assured that the incident will be investigated, and necessary action will be taken against the school management for continuing academic activities contrary to the state government directive on school closures due to security challenges,” Abiodun stated.
