Gunmen in Nigeria have abducted 42 people, including 27 students, three
teachers and 12 family members of the teachers from a school, a local
government official said on Wednesday, downplaying initial reports that said
hundreds had been kidnapped, AFP reported. President Muhammadu Buhari condemned the abductions and ordered a
rescue operation for the students.

“They kidnapped 42 people from the school. They took away 27
students, along with three teachers. They also kidnapped 12 family members of
the teachers,” Muhammad Sani Idris, spokesman for Niger state’s
government, told AFP by phone.

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When the gunmen, believed to belong to criminal gangs, stormed the
school, at least 650 students had been present in the school

“The President has directed the Armed Forces and Police, to ensure
immediate and safe return of all the captives,” presidential spokesman
Garba Shehu said in a statement.

The president urged Nigeria’s security forces “to do all that can
be done to bring an end to this saga, and avoid such cowardly attacks on
schools in the future.”

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Locally known as “bandits,” heavily-armed gangs have been active in northwest
and central Nigeria, stepping up attacks in recent years, kidnapping for
ransom, raping and pillaging.

Only two months ago, more than 300 students were kidnapped in nearby
Katsina state. The boys were later released but the incident sparked global
outrage.