LAGOS, NIGERIA: Gunmen attacked a school and kidnapped 39 students just weeks after a similar incident in Lagos, authorities stated on Friday.
The police department said that the kidnapping of students took place on Thursday night at the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka, in the Igabi local government area of Kaduna state.
Samuel Aruwan, Commissioner for Kaduna State Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs stated: “The number of missing students is now confirmed to be 39, comprising 23 females and 16 males.
“ Several school staff were also kidnapped,” the Commissioner added.
“The attack was carried out by a large group of “armed bandits,” adding that the military engaged the attackers and were able to take 180 staff and students to safety. An unknown number of students were injured and are currently receiving medical attention at a military facility. Security forces are conducting an operation to track the missing students,” Aruwan said.
U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric stated that: “U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the abduction and called for “the immediate and unconditional release of those students that remain in captivity.”
The U.N. chief urged authorities to ensure that schools “remain a safe space for children to learn without fear of violence or kidnapping or any other attacks on them,” he added.
According to Nigerian authorities, the gunmen kidnap for money or to pressurize authorities to release the jailed members of their group and that they were behind the earlier kidnapping of 279 schoolgirls last month in northwest Nigeria. The 279 girls were later freed following negotiations with the government.
Known to kidnap young women and force them into marriage, the Islamic extremist group Boko Haram. In 2014, they attacked the Chibok secondary school in Borno state. This mass abduction sparked an international outcry as #BringBackOurGirls campaign was promoted. 100 of the 276 abducted girls are still missing.