Armed Gunmen Abduct 25 Girls from High School in Nigeria, Kill at Least 1 Staff Member

The Nigeria Police Force said "a gang of armed bandits with sophisticated weapons, shooting sporadically, stormed the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School."

The kidnappings occurred on Monday, Nov. 17 in Maga, a city in the Kebbi state in northwestern Nigeria, according to police. "The police tactical units deployed in the school engaged them into a gun duel," the police force said. "Unfortunately, the suspected bandits had already scaled through the fence of the school and abducted 25 students from their hostel to [an] unknown destination."

One staff member was killed, while another suffered an injured hand.

According to The New York Times, citing a teacher, the vice principal, Malam Hassan Makaku, was fatally shot while trying to block the door.

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Police said they, along with the military and a local group of volunteers, launched a rescue mission in search of the girls.

"Upon receiving the unfortunate incident, a combined team of additional Police tactical units, military personnel and Vigilantes has been deployed in the area and they are currently combing the bandits' routes and nearby forest, with a view to rescue the abducted students and possibly arrest the perpetrators of the dastardly act," police said.

The Associated Press reported that no one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.