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Gunmen abduct seven students in northwest Nigeria, police say

By Thomson Reuters Jun 4, 2026 | 6:26 AM

By Ahmed Kingimi

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria, June 4 (Reuters) – Gunmen have abducted at least seven students of a polytechnic ​in Zamfara State in northwest ‌Nigeria, police said on Thursday, the latest incident highlighting insecurity in the region.

• The attack occurred in the early hours of ‌June ​3 when suspected ⁠bandits stormed off-campus student ⁠accommodation on the outskirts of the Low-Cost area of Kaura Namoda town in Zamfara State, police said ​in a statement.

• The assailants took the students to an unknown ⁠destination after raiding the ⁠rented residence at about 0400 ​GMT, the Zamfara State Police Command ​said.

• Security forces, including joint police tactical ‌teams and military personnel, were deployed to the scene shortly after the attack. However, the gunmen had ⁠fled before their arrival.

• The police said search-and-rescue operations had been stepped up to secure ⁠the ‌safe release of the victims ⁠and detain those responsible.

• Zamfara ​and ‌other parts of northwest ​Nigeria have ⁠faced persistent attacks by heavily armed bandits, who frequently carry out kidnappings for ransom, target rural communities and disrupt daily life.

(Writing by Chijioke OhuochaEditing by ​Gareth Jones)