One killed, 200 students kidnapped in Niger

Gunmen

Police have confirmed that several students of an Islamiyya school located at Tegina in the Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State have been abducted.

Reports put the figure at 200, but the police were silent on the number.

Police also confirmed one person was shot dead. Another was reportedly shot after gunmen carried out the kidnap operation at about 4:30pm on Sunday.

Salihu Tanko Islamiyya School was reportedly built by a retired immigration officer.

Secretary to Niger State Government Ahmed Matane also said the number of the abducted students had not been ascertained.

Mr Matane stated, “Yes, there was an attack at the Islamiyya school, but we do not yet have the exact number of students that were abducted. We are in touch with parents in the area to know those whose children were abducted.”

The police statement issued by its spokesman Wasiu Abiodun said, “On 30/05/2021, at about 1500hrs, bandits on board motorcycles in their numbers invaded Tegina town, Rafi LGA, shooting indiscriminately and abducted a yet to be ascertained number of children at Salihu Tanko Islamic school, Tegina. The bandits shot one person dead in the process.”

Mr Abiodun added that the Command immediately mobilised all tactical teams, including Operation Puff 2 to the location for rescue of the victims.