Gunmen have kidnapped at least seven students from a polytechnic in Zamfara State, located in northwest Nigeria, according to a police statement released Thursday.

The incident is the latest in a series of violent attacks highlighting the region’s ongoing security crisis.

The abduction took place in the early hours of June 3 when suspected bandits raided off-campus student housing. The rented residence is located on the outskirts of the Low-Cost area in Kaura Namoda town.

According to the Zamfara State Police Command, the heavily armed assailants stormed the accommodation at approximately 04:00 GMT and fled with the students to an unknown destination.

Security Response and Ongoing Search
Joint police tactical teams and military personnel were dispatched to the scene shortly after the raid.

The gunmen had already fled the area before security forces arrived.

Police officials confirmed that search-and-rescue operations have been intensified to secure the safe release of the students and apprehend the perpetrators.

Northwest Nigeria, particularly Zamfara State, continues to suffer from persistent instability driven by armed bandit groups.

These criminal factions frequently launch raids on rural communities, disrupting daily life and executing mass kidnappings for ransom.