Minna: In the quiet farming community of Papiri and nearby villages in Niger state, fear has become part of daily life. People speak in whispers, avoid strangers and keep doors locked long before nightfall. Many say they no longer feel safe enough to talk openly about the kidnapping gangs operating nearby.
The fear intensified after more than 300 children and 12 teachers were abducted from St Mary’s Catholic School on November 21. Armed men stormed the boarding school before dawn, forcing terrified pupils into waiting trucks and motorcycles. The attack has become one of the largest school kidnappings recorded in Nigeria in recent years.
Since then, at least 50 students have escaped and returned to their families, but hundreds remain missing. Parents say the silence from the kidnappers and lack of clear information from the government has left them anxious and uncertain.
One father, whose son is among those still missing, said even speaking about the crisis feels dangerous.
“If you talk, they may come for you. They know everything that happens here,” he said quietly. He asked not to be identified for his safety.
Residents say the kidnappers operate from remote forests and move freely through rural villages. People describe the gangs as heavily armed and well organised. Some villagers believe they have local informants who monitor movements and report anyone speaking to security forces or journalists.
The situation has left families feeling trapped and powerless. Many parents say they no longer trust that help will come, despite the deployment of soldiers and police to the region.
This most recent mass kidnapping came just days after another group of students in Kebbi state, farther north, was abducted. Those children were rescued, but no one knows how or whether a ransom was involved. Paying ransoms is illegal in Nigeria, yet families and observers say kidnappers often demand large sums, and victims are sometimes harmed if money is not paid.
Human rights organisations warn that fear and repeated attacks are undermining education in northern Nigeria. Some schools have been closed indefinitely, and many parents now question whether it is safe to allow children to continue learning.
Over the past decade, kidnapping gangs have grown more powerful in rural areas where state control is weak. In some regions, communities have tried to negotiate informal peace deals, hoping to stop killings and abductions. While some agreements have reduced violence, critics warn they risk giving legitimacy to criminals.
Security experts say the lines between banditry and extremist groups are becoming blurred. Some attackers may be motivated by money, while others may be connected to armed groups with ideological goals.
For villagers in Papiri, these distinctions offer little comfort. Their only concern is the safe return of their children.
“We wake up afraid. We sleep afraid. All we want is our children back,” said a mother standing outside her shuttered home.
As the days pass with no clear breakthrough, residents continue to pray and wait. Their hope remains strong, but so does their fear.
For now, speaking publicly remains a risk many are unwilling to take.