Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
Abuja, November 22 (Xinhua) — At least 215 students and 12 teachers were abducted early Friday in Niger State, central Nigeria, according to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), an umbrella organization of churches representing various denominations.
CAN spokesperson in Niger State, Daniel Atori, said on Friday evening that students and teachers were taken hostage by suspected terrorists who attacked St. Mary's Private School in Agwara Local Government Area.
According to D. Atori, he obtained his information during meetings with the parents of the abducted children. A CAN representative assured them that the organization was working with the government and security agencies to rescue the schoolchildren.
The students, aged 12 to 17, were abducted from their dormitory when gunmen stormed the school grounds on Friday.
Niger State Secretary of State Abubakar Usman confirmed the incident, without giving the exact number of abductees. He noted that the attack occurred despite security alerts about heightened security threats in some areas.
Based on this information, the government ordered the suspension of all construction activities and the temporary closure of boarding schools in the danger zone, A. Usman stated. However, St. Mary's School resumed operations without notifying authorities or seeking their permission, "thereby putting students and staff at risk," the official emphasized.
Local security authorities have launched a full-scale investigation and search and rescue operations to ensure the safe return of the students.
Niger state police spokesman Wasiu Abiodun told Xinhua by telephone that various military and paramilitary units had been deployed to the scene to comb the surrounding forests and rescue the abducted.
This is the second such incident in Nigeria this week. On Monday, gunmen abducted at least 25 girls from a government secondary school in the northern state of Kebbi.
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