Sources said the gunmen arrived in large numbers, riding on over 60 motorcycles and accompanied by a van.
Pope Leo XIV called on Sunday for the release of over 300 hostages taken from the St. Mary's Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri in the Agwarra local government area of Niger state.
"I learned with immense sadness the news of the kidnappings of priests, faithful, and students," he said, making "a heartfelt appeal for the immediate release of the hostages".
The attackers stormed the school, said to be a private Catholic school, in the early hours of Friday.
Sources said the gunmen arrived in large numbers, riding on over 60 motorcycles and accompanied by a van.
They were said to have shot the school's gatekeeper, leaving him with serious injuries.
A source in Agwara who confirmed the incident said, "Yes, it happened between 3 and 4 a.m. The number of students abducted is not yet confirmed."
Another source claimed that some teachers were also forcibly taken away during the attack.