Nigerian State Closes Boarding Schools after Students’ Abduction

On Friday, Nigerian authorities ordered the closure of all boarding schools in the northwestern state of Zamfara after 317 students were abducted by gunmen in the state.

The Governor of Zamfara, Bello Matawalle, said in a broadcast that the move was to avoid activity by militants against the students, reports AFP.

Nigerian police confirmed that 317 students were abducted from a girls’ secondary school in Zamfara early Friday.

“I want to assure the parents of the victims that we are doing everything possible to rescue the victims and reunite them with their families,” Matawalle said.