Bishop and Parents Urge Permanent Military Deployment in Agwara Following Kidnappings

A report from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) highlights that approximately 10.5 million children in Nigeria, aged 5–14, are currently outside the education system. Just 61% of children aged 6-11 years regularly attend primary school, and only 35.6% of those aged 36-59 months receive any form of early childhood education.

In this context, Bala Yahaya discusses the increasing appeals for enhanced security by various organizations, particularly in the Papiri region, to ensure that children in the Agwara Local Council Area are not deprived of their education and to safeguard the community.

The UNICEF Charter asserts that all children have the right to access quality education regardless of their location or circumstances. However, the situation is dire in northern Nigeria, where the net attendance rate drops to 53%. Bringing back out-of-school children into the educational system presents significant challenges.

Investigations by the Guardian indicate a lack of military presence throughout the Agwara Local Council Area and much of the Borgu Local Council Area north of the Kainji Game Reserve.

Additionally, local police forces are under-resourced, lacking adequate personnel, operational vehicles, and firearms necessary to address security threats effectively. Public reports have also pointed out a troubling lack of coordination among various security entities in the region, especially concerning the military presence. Originally, both Borgu and Agwara were part of Kwara State but became part of Niger State on August 27, 1991. It appears that the military command structure has not evolved since that transition, which complicates the swift deployment of troops against bandits and insurgents.

Calls have been made for a revision of the military's command structure and improved cooperation among security agencies.

In light of these circumstances, St Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri require extensive security support from both state and federal governments to safely reopen. Since the abduction of students in Papiri, there has been a mobile police detail of around 40 officers stationed at the village and the school.

Despite this, residents of Papiri and surrounding villages like Guffanti, Sokonbara, and Bako-Mission are increasingly evacuating due to fears of further attacks, especially following the massacre at Kasuwan Daji. It is crucial to establish a permanent military and police base in the area that can effectively protect lives and property, providing assurance for pupils, teachers, and community members while proactively engaging potential threats.

The current assignment of 40 mobile police is insufficient in a situation where they face more than twice that number of attackers.

Furthermore, the Niger State government's recent order for schools at risk of terrorist attacks to remain closed feeds into concerns that St Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, which stands as the region's only reputable educational institution, may face permanent closure due to the inadequate security presence.

To support government initiatives and ensure that children receive fundamental education in Agwara LGA, the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora founded St Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, accommodating both day and boarding students from communities as far as 100 kilometers away. The recent kidnapping of 230 children and teachers, compounded by the tragic loss of 42 individuals in the Kasuwan Daji market—situated just 15 kilometers from Papiri—is a glaring indication of the lack of a robust security force, allowing attackers to destroy the market and surrounding village in broad daylight without challenge.

Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, the proprietor of the school and Bishop of the Kontagora Diocese, praised federal and state authorities, as well as security agencies and the media, for their roles in securing the release of abducted individuals. He pressed for the urgent reopening of Papiri schools under the protection of a sufficient and well-equipped security force that can ensure the safety of children and deter future threats.

During an interview, Bishop Yohanna, who serves as the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State, urged the government to fulfill its commitments by establishing a military outpost and empowering security agencies to maintain a presence in Agwara.

He stated, “The purpose of the school is to nurture our children regardless of religion or ethnicity, creating a brighter future for them. We must not allow their aspirations to perish because of recent events. The government’s role is to enhance security so that our children, teachers, and local residents can learn and live in a secure environment.”

On January 6, 2026, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall, called for enhanced protection of civilian areas and educational institutions amidst ongoing violence in Niger State, condemning the kidnapping of students and educators from St Mary’s Catholic School as a severe infringement on human rights.

He emphasized that the abduction of women and children significantly undermines educational rights.

Barrister Maurice Magaji, the Niger State Commissioner for Homeland Security, conveyed that comprehensive efforts are underway to improve security in Agwara, Borgu, and other affected Local Council Areas within the state.

He elaborated that the government must prioritize public safety to avoid risking lives by hurrying to reopen schools in insecure zones, stating, “Our responsibility is to protect lives and property; safety takes precedence over education. We must act calmly and, as soon as stability is restored, schools will be reopened incrementally.”

Hon. Jonathan Vatsa, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State, has advocated for the immediate establishment of a military base and the deployment of marine police to the Agwara Local Government Area as a measure to reduce ongoing terrorist threats.

In a statement titled “Urgent Call for the Establishment of a Naval Base and the Deployment of Marine Police in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State,” he expressed that the deteriorating situation requires intervention beyond the state's capabilities and called upon the federal government for assistance.

Vatsa, who has previously served as Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Tourism, noted that the River Niger has increasingly become a security blind spot, enabling armed groups to avoid land-based security measures. He explained that this vulnerability has been evident during the recent violence in the Papiri community, where attackers utilized aquatic routes to execute their assaults and then retreat beyond the reach of conventional security forces.

Following a federal delegation led by Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser to President Bola Tinubu, visited Kontagora, families of St Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri were given hope with assurances regarding the safety and return of the 230 children and staff members.

Amid these security concerns and directives to keep schools closed indefinitely in Agwara, Rev. Sister Felicia Gyang, the Principal, called upon both federal and state governments, along with security agencies, to prioritize security in Agwara LGA to guarantee that children’s education is not obstructed, ensuring the safety of teachers, parents, and the wider community.

Cyril Ibrahim, a teacher who survived the attack, expressed gratitude towards those involved in their safe retrieval while emphasizing the need for heightened security in Papiri. He remarked, “This institution serves more than 50 communities as the sole good school in the area. We plead with the government to do everything within its means to ensure its continuation through enhanced security.”

Mrs. Hannah Tevi, another teacher who was kidnapped along with her son and her visiting husband, recounted the traumatic experience, stating that the memories remain deeply ingrained. With frequent evacuations to the bush due to fears of bandits, she implored the local and federal governments for immediate help, emphasizing, “If the school does not reopen, we will lose our jobs. Security is paramount; only then can we teach our children.”

Mr. Markus Abuka, whose lone child was among those abducted, expressed distress but remained hopeful, citing prayers and government assurances as reasons to maintain faith. Disheartened by the recent Kasuwan Daji attack that cost 42 lives, he voiced concerns about the increasingly perilous situation, demanding the establishment of military and security posts to protect lives in Agwara LGA and neighboring settlements like Sokonbara and Bako-Mission, which suffer frequent bandit activities. He described the harrowing experience of being forced to hide at night due to constant threats of kidnapping or violence, insisting that the looming danger is much greater than just the school in Papiri. Between December 28 and January 3, 2026, assaults in Kasuwan Daji saw bandits operating with impunity both day and night.

Livinus Samaila, another parent, urged the government to ensure the school remains operational since it is the only one serving close to 60 communities, saying, “Without action, we all risk losing our lives at the hands of these terrorists while denied education. We need security and military installations so the locals and our children can live freely without fear.” Without strong military intervention, both North Borgu and Agwara may fall prey to these criminals.

Students like Florence Michael and Felicia Musa shared their harrowing experiences during abduction, urging officials to enhance security measures. They said, “We wish to continue our schooling. If given no opportunity, we will have to revert to farms and miss out on crucial education.”

In response to the appalling events in Kasuwan Daji, President Bola Tinubu promptly instructed the Minister of Defence and other top security officials to pursue, apprehend, and ensure justice against those responsible for the killings.

He also ordered immediate efforts to rescue all victims who were taken captive during these events.

In a public address, President Tinubu condemned the violence and kidnappings affecting the Kasuwan Daji community, affirming that unity among the citizens is essential in tackling these criminal elements together. He expressed, “As citizens, we must unite and confront these foes, denying them any safe haven. We must reclaim tranquility in the affected communities.”

Recently, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, stated during a visit to Niger State that additional resources would be allocated for the training of the Nigerian Army to counteract the ongoing security issues.

He added, “We plan to undertake operational visits to the Headquarters of the 31 Artillery Brigade and 18 Brigade in Bida to identify and address operational deficiencies.

“I appreciate the state government for its ongoing support to the TRADOC Nigerian Army and all formations within the state. The Nigerian Army anticipates more collaboration with the state government.”

Following the series of violent incidents, Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, expressed his concern over the unsettling events that have started the year.