No fewer than 42 people, including 27 students , were kidnapped when bandits attacked Government Science Secondary School , Kagara in Niger State .

The Niger Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Muhammad Idris , who made this known , also said the whereabouts of three teachers are unknown .

According to him , 12 family members of the teachers were also abducted during the attack .

Idris added that one student , whose identity is yet to be given , was killed .

“ They kidnapped 42 people from the school . They took away 27 students , along with three teachers . They also kidnapped 12 family members of the teachers , ” Idris told AFP by phone.

This is coming barely two months after over 300 students were kidnapped in nearby Katsina State .

On his part, the President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd . ) , in a statement , condemned the abductions and ordered a rescue operation but did not confirm how many students were missing .

“ The President has directed the Armed Forces and Police , to ensure immediate and safe return of all the captives , ” presidential spokesman Garba Shehu said in a statement .

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