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Nigeria's Zamfara attack: Hundreds of schoolgirls feared kidnapped Nigeria's Zamfara attack: Hundreds of schoolgirls feared kidnapped
(about 2 hours later)
This is the latest mass abduction targeting schools in recent weeksThis is the latest mass abduction targeting schools in recent weeks
Hundreds of schoolgirls are feared to have been kidnapped in the north-western state of Zamfara.Hundreds of schoolgirls are feared to have been kidnapped in the north-western state of Zamfara.
A teacher told the BBC that at least 300 students were unaccounted for after the Friday morning attack by gunmen.A teacher told the BBC that at least 300 students were unaccounted for after the Friday morning attack by gunmen.
A spokesman for the state's governor has confirmed the attack but did not give details.A spokesman for the state's governor has confirmed the attack but did not give details.
This is the latest mass abduction targeting schools in recent weeks. Armed gangs often seize schoolchildren for ransom.This is the latest mass abduction targeting schools in recent weeks. Armed gangs often seize schoolchildren for ransom.
At least 42 people, including 27 students, who were kidnapped last week in the central state of Niger are yet to be released. At least 42 people, including 27 students, who were kidnapped last week in the central state of Niger, are yet to be released.
In December, more than 300 boys were kidnapped by gunmen and later released after negotiations.In December, more than 300 boys were kidnapped by gunmen and later released after negotiations.
Africa Live: More on this and other storiesAfrica Live: More on this and other stories
Was school kidnap carried out by Boko Haram? Is Boko Haram carrying out school kidnappings?
The town that lost its girlsThe town that lost its girls
Friday's attack happened at 01:00 local time (midnight GMT) when a group of gunmen arrived at the Government Girls Secondary School in Jangebe with pick-up vehicles and motorcycles, a teacher told news site Punch. Friday's attack happened at 01:00 local time (midnight GMT) when a group of gunmen arrived at the Government Girls Secondary School in Jangebe town with pick-up vehicles and motorcycles, a teacher told news site Punch.
A teacher said that some of the gunmen were dressed as government security forces, the report said, adding that they forced the schoolgirls in the vehicles. Some of the gunmen were dressed as government security forces, the report said, adding that they forced the schoolgirls in the vehicles.
The BBC's Ishaq Khalid in the capital, Abuja, says that worried parents have gathered outside the school and some have gone out into the bush to look for their daughters. But other witnesses have told the BBC that the armed men arrived on foot at the school.
Worried parents have gathered outside the school and some have gone out into the bush to look for their daughters, witnesses say.
A teacher told the BBC that of 421 students in the school at the time, only 55 had been unaccounted for, meaning more than 300 were believed to have been kidnapped.A teacher told the BBC that of 421 students in the school at the time, only 55 had been unaccounted for, meaning more than 300 were believed to have been kidnapped.
Abdulhadi Abubaka describes how he managed to avoid the mass kidnapping in Nigeria's Katsina school in December last yearAbdulhadi Abubaka describes how he managed to avoid the mass kidnapping in Nigeria's Katsina school in December last year