ABUJA, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Gunmen kidnapped six students in northwestern Nigeria late Tuesday, local authorities confirmed on Thursday.
An operation is underway to rescue the six students, who were from the Federal Polytechnic in Kaura Namoda area, Zamfara State, police spokesperson Yazid Abubakar told Xinhua by phone.
According to Abubakar, the incident occurred at a low-cost housing estate. One of the students had stepped outside and left the door of their apartment open, allowing the gunmen to enter and abduct six occupants.
Kidnappings and attacks by armed groups have become increasingly common in parts of northern Nigeria in recent years. Zamfara is among the states most affected by such violence.
