Gunmen have attacked a school in Kaduna state in north-west region of Nigeria and kidnapped at least 287 students at GSS Kuriga school, Chikun District.
The pupils were in the assembly ground on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at around 08:30 (07:30 GMT) when dozens of gunmen on motorcycles rode through the school.
100 students were abducted from primary section while 187 pupils were taken from secondary school section.
According to a witness, one pupil was shot and is currently receiving treatment in Birnin Gwari Hospital, Nigeria.
A teacher who managed to escape said local people had tried to rescue the children, but they were repelled by the gunmen and one person was killed.
Horror at School
He further revealed that several students had managed to escape with the school staff while the gunmen were firing in the air.
“At GSS Kuriga school, 187 children are unaccountable for, while in the primary school, 125 children were missing, with 25 returning,” teacher Sani Abdulahi disclosed.
Almost every family is thought to have a child among the kidnapped victims and the armed forces have launched an operation to find them.
Confirming the incident, Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani has assured that they are working to ensure that every child is found.
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While condoling with the people and families of the kidnapped children, the governor promised that he was working with the security agencies to ensure safe and immediate return of the children.
He has also promised to establish a prominent police station and military based in Kuriga community.
Nigeria Governor Speak Over the Matter
“Am going to work with the community leaders, security leaders and also youths to ensure that every child return back home by the grace of God. No child will be left behind. All of them will come back home by the grace of God,” said Governor Sani.
A manhunt of the bandits has already begun with troops deployed to Kuriga and other surrounding areas to rescue the kidnapped children.
Also Read: Nigerian mass kidnapping: Over 300 Girls abducted by gunmen
This is the second mass abduction in the West African nation in less than a week where over 200 people were abducted while outside searching for firewood.
Abductions of students from schools in northern Nigeria are common and have become a source of concern since 2014, when Islamic extremists kidnapped more than 200 schoolgirls in Borno state’s Chibok village.
In recent years, the abductions have been concentrated in north-western and central regions, where dozens of armed groups often target villagers and travelers for huge ransoms.
