At least 287 school pupils have been abducted in northern region of Nigeria after gunmen invade school premises as classes were about to start, their headteacher confirmed.
The incident has been recorded as the second mass abduction in the West African nation in less than a week – more than 200 people were taken by extremists in north-eastern Nigeria days before.
It was gathered that gunmen surrounded the school in Kuriga town around 8am on Thursday.
The headteacher informed Kaduna Governor Uba Sani during his visit to the town that the total number of missing students after a headcount was 287.
“We will ensure that every child will come back. We are working with the security agencies,” the governor Sani assured.
The governor also mentioned that a community member who confronted the abductors during the attack was killed.
…Security agents working to bring back the school children
Additionally, Sani stated that the President of Nigeria and the National Security Adviser were aware of the situation, and a Security Committee and a military base would be established in Kuriga to strengthen security in the area.
Kaduna state, bordering the Nigerian capital Abuja to the southwest, has experienced recurring incidents of kidnappings for ransom by bandits and has witnessed several mass abductions in recent years, including in the district where LEA Primary and Secondary School is located.
