19 abducted, police inspector killed as gunmen attack Zamfara college (updated)

Gunmen have abducted some students and teachers at the College of Agriculture and Animal Health in Bakura, Zamfara state.

Aliyu Bakura, deputy registrar of the college, confirmed the development to BBC Hausa.

“Last Sunday night around 10pm they entered and opened fire and took away 15 students and a teacher and his wife and two children,” he said.

Muhammad Shehu, the police spokesperson in Zamfara, confirmed that 15 students and four staff of the college were kidnapped.

He said a police inspector and two other civilians were killed during the attack.

“The bandits who were in large number came to the school at about midnight with intent to abduct large number of students and staff, but were heavily confronted by the Tactical Police Operatives,” he said.

“Unfortunately, a police inspector and two other civilian guards lost their lives while 15 students and four staff were abducted by the bandits.

“The police operatives while on extensive bush combing at the surrounding areas rescued three staff who will be debriefed and medically examine before being reunited with their families.”

This is not the first time bandits will abduct students from schools in Zamfara. On February 26, bandits invaded Government Girls Science Secondary School, Jangebe, Zamfara state and abducted many female students but were later released after spending weeks in custody.

In recent times, the northern part of the country has witnessed a series of abductions of schoolchildren, a development that has led to the closure of many schools in the region.

At the moment, many abducted students from northern schools are still in the custody of bandits.