Nigerian schools shut after mass kidnapping of students by gunmen

Due to the attack on schools committed by gunmen, orders were issued to close schools in Nigeria, northwestern Zamfara State on Wednesday.

At least 73 students were abducted from a state-run high school in Zamfara’s Maradun district, local police said in a statement, adding that the high school was targeted by “armed bandits.”

“The abduction followed the invasion of the school by a large number of armed bandits,” according to Zamfara State Police Command.

“A search and rescue team has been deployed to work with the military to locate and rescue the abducted children… Security has also been beefed up at Kaya Village and environs to forestall further attacks on the communities,” the statement added.

“We have closed primary and secondary schools in the state,” Dosara said, adding “but schools currently writing examinations are asked to stay behind until they finish their examinations… Heavy security presence will be provided to protect those writing exams.”

The latest kidnapping comes days after 91 schoolchildren earlier abducted in north-central Niger State were released by their captors after thousands of dollars were paid by their families as ransom.

Kidnapping for ransom has become one of the major security challenges in Nigeria, with Zamfara and other neighboring northwestern states being hit with several mass kidnappings this year.