The Police in Zamfara State have confirmed the abduction of 73 students of Government Day Secondary School in Kaya.
Kaya is a town in Maradun Local Government Area of the state.
A statement by Mohammed Shehu, Police Public Relations Officer, said a large number of bandits invaded the school at about 11:22am on Wednesday.
He announced that the Commissioner, Ayuba Elkanah has deployed a search and rescue team to work in synergy with the military to free the pupils.
Elkanah appealed to the public, especially parents and relatives of the students “to exercise patience and continue to pray for the success of the ongoing rescue operation”.
Security has also been beefed up at Kaya village and environs to forestall further attacks.
“The Zamfara state police command wishes to confirm the abduction of 73 students of Government Day Secondary school, Kaya in Maradun LGA.”
“The abduction followed the invasion of the school by large number of armed bandits that occurred today at exactly 1122hrs,” the statement reads.
“The command under the leadership of CP Ayuba N Elkanah has deployed search and rescue team that was mandated to work in synergy with the military to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted students.
“Security has also been been beefed up at Kaya Village and environs to forestall further attack on the communities.
“Further development will be made known to members of the public,” he said.
The attack happened a day after Governor Bello Matawalle ordered the closure of some markets and roads.
He had also directed filling stations to limit the amount of fuel sold to vehicles.
Schools in Zamfara have been shut while a dusk-to-dawn curfew has been imposed in the state.
Bandits are currently wreaking havoc across the North West
