Afaka kidnapping
The Kaduna kidnapping took place on 11 March 2021, when at least 30 students were kidnapped in Kaduna State, Nigeria, during an attack by armed gunmen on the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization.[1][2][3] This is Nigeria's third kidnapping from an academic institution in 2021, and the the fourth since December 2020, coming two weeks after the Zamfara kidnapping which resulted in the abduction of 279 female students.[4]
Kidnapping
The attack occurred at 9:30 PM local time on 11 March 2021 at the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization in Mando, Kaduna State.[5] The college is located on the outskirts of Kaduna city near the Nigerian defence academy military barracks.[2][3][5] The "armed bandits" entered the school by making a hole in the compound's perimeter wall.[2] Residents in the area reported hearing gunshots, however assumed that they were from training in the military academy.[4]
According to most sources, a distress call was sent by staff and students inside the campus[2] and members of the Nigerian Armed Forces' first division, based in the nearby military academy, engaged the kidnappers in a firefight.[2][4] They were able to rescue 180 staff and students that had initially been taken hostage by early morning on the next day.[5][3] Some students were able to evade capture by hiding under their beds, as there was a power blackout.[3] Students attending the college were over 17 years of age and of mixed gender.[5] Some of the rescued hostages were injured and were taken for medical treatment at a nearby military facility.[5] Approximately 20 trucks belonging to the Nigerian army were seen parked outside the school.[2] Approximately 30 students have not been accounted for.[3]
A rescue operation has been launched in an attempt to recover the students who were successfully kidnapped. It has been reported that the captives are possibly in the nearby Rugu forest, which covers over three Nigerian states.[4]
See also
References
- ^ "Gunmen abduct 30 students from school in northwest Nigeria". AP News. AP News. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f "Dozens of students abducted from forestry college in northwest Nigeria". Reuters. Reuters. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
- ^ a b c d e "Armed men abduct students in new northwest Nigeria kidnappings". CNN. CNN. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
- ^ a b c d "Nigeria Gunmen Abduct Students in Latest Mass Kidnapping". The Wall Street Journal. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
- ^ a b c d e "Nigeria: Gunmen abduct dozens of students | DW | 12 March 2021". Deutsche Welle. 12 March 2021. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
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