Authorities in Nigeria have launched a comprehensive search operation to locate six students who disappeared following a raid by armed men on an off-campus residence in the country's northwestern region.
The incident took place early Wednesday in the Kaura Namoda area of Zamfara State. According to police spokesperson Yazid Abubakar, gunmen abducted seven students during the attack. While most remain missing, one victim managed to escape and is currently cooperating with police for questioning.
As of today, June 5, 2026, security agencies are working to determine the location of the abducted students. Efforts are focused on securing their safe release and apprehending the perpetrators responsible for the kidnapping.
This latest attack underscores the persistent security challenges facing Zamfara State, which has increasingly become a focal point for armed gangs specializing in kidnapping-for-ransom operations. In recent years, these criminal elements have frequently targeted educational institutions and students, creating an atmosphere of instability in the region.
The scale of this crisis is reflected in data compiled by local news outlet Premium Times, which indicates that at least 1,900 students have been kidnapped from 20 different schools across Nigeria since 2014. This pattern of violence began gaining significant global attention following the abduction of more than 200 schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State, over a decade ago.
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Authorities search for students abducted in northwestern Nigeria
cgtn.com
