The Oswal couple faces serious allegations of exploiting and kidnapping their domestic servant. Reports suggest that the couple mistreated their servant, leading to accusations of forced labor and unlawful confinement. The case has sparked widespread attention, with authorities investigating the claims and public outrage growing over the alleged abuse.

Oswal Couple Accused of Exploitation and Kidnapping Of Their Servant | World News | WION

The police in the Indian city of Jaipur&nbsp;solved a case involving an&nbsp;11-month-old boy who was kidnapped 14&nbsp;months ago in the city's Sangam Sadar area.&nbsp;

A video is going viral on social media in which a two-year-old child named Prithvi, who had been kidnapped around 14 months ago in Jaipur was found by the police.

While&nbsp;the child was being taken away from the alleged kidnapper, Prithvi&nbsp;refused to leave. Subsequently, when&nbsp;police attempted to separate them, the innocent kid began to cry and&nbsp;cling tightly to his kidnapper.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/selling-samosas-wont-define-my-future-noida-samosa-seller-cracks-neet-ug-at-the-age-of-18-754568">'Selling samosas won’t define my future': Noida samosa seller cracks NEET UG at the age of 18</a>

Seeing the child cry, tears began to flow from the kidnapper’s eyes as well. However, police forcefully separated him from the accused and handed Prithvi&nbsp;over to his mother. The child continued to cry even after going to his mother.&nbsp;

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इंसानी रिश्तों की अनोखी दास्तां! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E0%A4%9C%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%AA%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B0?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#जयपुर</a> से 14 महीने पहले हुए 2 साल के बच्चे को पुलिस ने बरामद तो कर लिया लेकिन बच्चा किडनैपर को छोड़ माँ बाप के पास जाने के लिए तैयार नहीं था!वो किडनैपर से लिपटकर जोर-जोर से रोने लगा। बच्चे को रोता देख किडनैपर भी आंसू रोक नहीं पाया..<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JaipurPolice?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JaipurPolice</a> <a href="https://t.co/KuVb4Fzn6Y">pic.twitter.com/KuVb4Fzn6Y</a>
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As per the reports, the accused, Tanuj Chahar, was a head constable in the Reserve Police Line in Aligarh (Uttar Pradesh) but was suspended. Tanuj, having served in the special and surveillance teams of the UP police, was well-versed with the police conduct. He did not use his mobile phone and changed multiple locations during his absconding period.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-dalit-sisters-die-by-suicide-two-men-booked-under-abetment-charges-754635">India: Dalit sisters die by suicide, two men booked under abetment charges</a>

According to reports, Tanuj was living as a monk in a hut in the Kharar area on the Parikrama path in&nbsp;Uttar Pradesh's Vrindavan. To hide from the police and prevent himself from getting arrested, he concealed his identity by growing a beard and long hair.&nbsp;

A report by the Times of India&nbsp;said that the accused is a relative of Prithvi’s mother. To hide his identity, he cunningly changed his physical appearance and never introduced himself to new people. He started considering Prithvi as his son.&nbsp;

On August 27, the police received the information that Tanuj had gone to Aligarh. When the special team arrived to arrest him, he tried to flee into the fields with Prithvi but got arrested after an eight-kilometre chase.&nbsp;

As per the investigation officers, Tanuj wanted to keep Prithivi and his mother, Poonam Chaudhary, with him, but Poonam did not want to go with him. Therefore, Tanuj and his friends kidnapped Prithvi when he was 11 months old to threaten his mother to comply with Tanju's&nbsp;demands.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The police in the Indian city of Jaipur solved a case involving an 11-month-old boy who was kidnapped 14 months ago in the city's Sangam Sadar area. A video is going viral on social media in which a two-year-old child named Prithvi, who had been kidnapped around 14 months ago in Jaipur was found by the police.

The police in the Indian city of Jaipur solved a case involving an 11-month-old boy who was kidnapped 14 months ago in the city's Sangam Sadar area. A video is going viral on social media in which a two-year-old child named Prithvi, who had been kidnapped around 14 months ago in Jaipur was found by the police. While the child was being taken away from the alleged kidnapper, Prithvi refused to leave. Subsequently, when police attempted to separate them, the innocent kid began to cry and cling tightly to his kidnapper. Also Read | 'Selling samosas won’t define my future': Noida samosa seller cracks NEET UG at the age of 18 Seeing the child cry, tears began to flow from the kidnapper’s eyes as well. However, police forcefully separated him from the accused and handed Prithvi over to his mother. The child continued to cry even after going to his mother. इंसानी रिश्तों की अनोखी दास्तां! #जयपुर से 14 महीने पहले हुए 2 साल के बच्चे को पुलिस ने बरामद तो कर लिया लेकिन बच्चा किडनैपर को छोड़ माँ बाप के पास जाने के लिए तैयार नहीं था!वो किडनैपर से लिपटकर जोर-जोर से रोने लगा। बच्चे को रोता देख किडनैपर भी आंसू रोक नहीं पाया..#JaipurPolice pic.twitter.com/KuVb4Fzn6Y — Rajan Singh (@rajansi45) August 30, 2024 × As per the reports, the accused, Tanuj Chahar, was a head constable in the Reserve Police Line in Aligarh (Uttar Pradesh) but was suspended. Tanuj, having served in the special and surveillance teams of the UP police, was well-versed with the police conduct. He did not use his mobile phone and changed multiple locations during his absconding period. Also Read | India: Dalit sisters die by suicide, two men booked under abetment charges According to reports, Tanuj was living as a monk in a hut in the Kharar area on the Parikrama path in Uttar Pradesh's Vrindavan. To hide from the police and prevent himself from getting arrested, he concealed his identity by growing a beard and long hair. A report by the Times of India said that the accused is a relative of Prithvi’s mother. To hide his identity, he cunningly changed his physical appearance and never introduced himself to new people. He started considering Prithvi as his son. On August 27, the police received the information that Tanuj had gone to Aligarh. When the special team arrived to arrest him, he tried to flee into the fields with Prithvi but got arrested after an eight-kilometre chase. As per the investigation officers, Tanuj wanted to keep Prithivi and his mother, Poonam Chaudhary, with him, but Poonam did not want to go with him. Therefore, Tanuj and his friends kidnapped Prithvi when he was 11 months old to threaten his mother to comply with Tanju's demands. (With inputs from agencies)

Two-year-old-boy refuses to leave his kidnapper after staying with him for 14 months

Kidnap gangs, infamously known as bandits, have plagued much of Nigeria recently, especially in its north-west. In the latest incident, at least 287 school students were abducted in the north-western town of Kuriga on the 7th of March. The Kidnappers issued a warning, threatening to kill the nearly 300 abducted students if a ransom of $622,000 is not paid. The government talked tough saying that it won't pay a dime. Alarmingly, the incident marked the second mass abduction in the West African nation within a week. Earlier, on the 4th of March, suspected Boko Haram insurgents had kidnapped more than a 100 people, mostly women, in the remote Gamboru area of North-eastern Nigeria while they were collecting firewood. The twin kidnappings, though reportedly unrelated, are especially concerning given the reduction in the mass abductions over the past year.

Nigeria: Kidnappers demand ransom, govt refuses to pay

Portuguese police have extended an apology to the parents of Madeleine McCann for the way they conducted the investigation into the three-year-old's disappearance. The parents were initially listed as suspects and questioned by Portugal police after Madeleine went missing from a holiday complex in the Algarve in May 2007. The case remains unsolved.

As reported by&nbsp;BBC Panorama, a delegation of senior officers from Portugal travelled to London earlier this year to meet with Gerry McCann, Madeleine's father. During the meeting, they expressed their regret for the way detectives investigated the case and treated the McCann family.

The McCann family's ordeal began in September 2007 when, four months after Madeleine disappeared, Kate and Gerry McCann were named "arguidos," or suspects, in the Portuguese investigation.

Both were subjected to questioning by detectives who believed they had staged an abduction and concealed Madeleine's body. Kate McCann reportedly claimed she was offered a deal to admit to covering up her daughter's death in exchange for a reduced sentence. Although their arguido status was lifted in 2008, the McCanns remained under suspicion in Portugal for years.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-madeleine-mccann-case-heres-everything-you-need-to-know-about-her-disappearance-596706">Also read |&nbsp;Explained | Madeleine McCann case: Here's everything you need to know about her disappearance</a>

<h2>Goncalo Amaral and legal disputes</h2>

Goncalo Amaral, the senior detective leading the case at the time, was later removed from the investigation but went on to write a book accusing the McCanns of involvement in their daughter's disappearance.

The McCanns pursued a libel case against him, which was ultimately dismissed by the Portuguese Supreme Court. They later appealed to the European Court of Human Rights but lost their challenge in September 2022.

<h2>Online campaigns and ongoing investigations</h2>

The couple has also faced harsh online campaigns accusing them of causing Madeleine's death and attempting to cover it up.

Portuguese police have now acknowledged that their initial investigation into Madeleine's disappearance was not handled properly. 
 
They cited insufficient importance given to missing children at the time and a lack of appreciation for the McCanns' status as foreigners in an unfamiliar environment.

Portuguese police also disclosed that they have provided support to the German authorities who suspect that a 46-year-old German national, Christian Brueckner, was responsible for Madeleine McCann's disappearance.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/madeleine-mccanns-sister-speaks-out-for-first-time-after-16-years-of-her-disappearance-588962">Also read |&nbsp;Madeleine McCann's sister speaks out for first time after 16 years of her disappearance</a>

Hans Christian Wolters, one of the German prosecutors, welcomed the Portuguese apology and mentioned ongoing developments in the McCann case.

Christian Brueckner lived near the Praia da Luz resort where the McCann family vacationed and spent time in the area from 2000 to 2017. He was formally named a suspect by Portuguese prosecutors in 2022. Currently, he is serving a seven-year prison sentence in Germany for drug trafficking and the 2005 rape of a 72-year-old woman in the same area where Madeleine disappeared. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

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Portuguese police have extended an apology to the parents of Madeleine McCann for the way they conducted the investigation into the three-year-old's disappearance.

Portuguese police have extended an apology to the parents of Madeleine McCann for the way they conducted the investigation into the three-year-old's disappearance. The parents were initially listed as suspects and questioned by Portugal police after Madeleine went missing from a holiday complex in the Algarve in May 2007. The case remains unsolved. As reported by BBC Panorama, a delegation of senior officers from Portugal travelled to London earlier this year to meet with Gerry McCann, Madeleine's father. During the meeting, they expressed their regret for the way detectives investigated the case and treated the McCann family. The McCann family's ordeal began in September 2007 when, four months after Madeleine disappeared, Kate and Gerry McCann were named "arguidos," or suspects, in the Portuguese investigation. Both were subjected to questioning by detectives who believed they had staged an abduction and concealed Madeleine's body. Kate McCann reportedly claimed she was offered a deal to admit to covering up her daughter's death in exchange for a reduced sentence. Although their arguido status was lifted in 2008, the McCanns remained under suspicion in Portugal for years. Also read | Explained | Madeleine McCann case: Here's everything you need to know about her disappearance Goncalo Amaral and legal disputes Goncalo Amaral, the senior detective leading the case at the time, was later removed from the investigation but went on to write a book accusing the McCanns of involvement in their daughter's disappearance. The McCanns pursued a libel case against him, which was ultimately dismissed by the Portuguese Supreme Court. They later appealed to the European Court of Human Rights but lost their challenge in September 2022. Online campaigns and ongoing investigations The couple has also faced harsh online campaigns accusing them of causing Madeleine's death and attempting to cover it up. Portuguese police have now acknowledged that their initial investigation into Madeleine's disappearance was not handled properly. They cited insufficient importance given to missing children at the time and a lack of appreciation for the McCanns' status as foreigners in an unfamiliar environment. Portuguese police also disclosed that they have provided support to the German authorities who suspect that a 46-year-old German national, Christian Brueckner, was responsible for Madeleine McCann's disappearance. Also read | Madeleine McCann's sister speaks out for first time after 16 years of her disappearance Hans Christian Wolters, one of the German prosecutors, welcomed the Portuguese apology and mentioned ongoing developments in the McCann case. Christian Brueckner lived near the Praia da Luz resort where the McCann family vacationed and spent time in the area from 2000 to 2017. He was formally named a suspect by Portuguese prosecutors in 2022. Currently, he is serving a seven-year prison sentence in Germany for drug trafficking and the 2005 rape of a 72-year-old woman in the same area where Madeleine disappeared. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Madeleine McCann: Portuguese police extend apology to parents for handling of disappearance case

US and Mexican authorities on Monday said that they are urgently working to ensure that the four US citizens, who were shot and kidnapped by the gunmen after they crossed the border into Mexico, return safely.

A reward worth $50,000 was announced by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for anyone who could help them find the unidentified victims and arrest the kidnappers involved in the crime, in which one Mexican national was also killed.

On Friday, the four US citizens crossed into Matamoros, Tamaulipas in a white minivan which had North Carolina license plates, read the statement issued by the FBI which was released by the US embassy in Mexico.

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-asks-mexico-to-extradite-el-chapos-son-ovidio-guzman-lopez-weeks-after-arrest-sparked-violence-566679">US asks Mexico to extradite El Chapo's son, Ovidio Guzmán-López, weeks after arrest sparked violence</a>

"Shortly after crossing into Mexico, unidentified gunmen fired upon the passengers in the (minivan). All four Americans were placed in a vehicle and taken from the scene by armed men," the FBI stated.

The White House said that the US is closely following the "unacceptable" kidnapping of US citizens in Mexico.

"Our thoughts are with the families of these individuals and we stand ready to provide all appropriate consular assistance and U.S. law enforcement is in touch with Mexican law enforcement," White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said it is believed that the victims had entered Mexico to buy medicines and were caught up in a conflict between criminal groups.

The Mexican security ministry and the FBI have been working together to find the US citizens, he added.

In a statement, US ambassador to Mexico Ken Salzar said that an "innocent Mexican citizen was tragically killed" in the incident.

"US law enforcement officials from numerous agencies are working with Mexican authorities at all levels of government to secure the safe return of our compatriots," he added.

Matamoros, which is located across the US border from Brownsville, Texas, has seen a lot of violence related to organised crimes like drug trafficking.

The highways of Tamaulipas are considered among Mexico's most dangerous areas because of the threat of extortion and kidnapping by criminal gangs.

The US State Department advises people against travelling to Tamaulipas because of crime and kidnapping.

WATCH | President Joe Biden visits US-Mexico border town

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"Organised crime activity - including gun battles, murder, armed robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, forced disappearances, extortion, and sexual assault - is common along the northern border and in Ciudad Victoria," stated a US travel advisory.

"Criminal groups target public and private passenger buses, as well as private automobiles travelling through Tamaulipas, often taking passengers and demanding ransom payments," it added.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

You can&nbsp;now write for wionews.com&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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US and Mexican authorities on Monday said that they are urgently working to ensure that the four US citizens, who were shot and kidnapped by the gunmen after they crossed the border into Mexico, return safely.

US and Mexican authorities on Monday said that they are urgently working to ensure that the four US citizens, who were shot and kidnapped by the gunmen after they crossed the border into Mexico, return safely. A reward worth $50,000 was announced by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for anyone who could help them find the unidentified victims and arrest the kidnappers involved in the crime, in which one Mexican national was also killed. On Friday, the four US citizens crossed into Matamoros, Tamaulipas in a white minivan which had North Carolina license plates, read the statement issued by the FBI which was released by the US embassy in Mexico. ALSO READ | US asks Mexico to extradite El Chapo's son, Ovidio Guzmán-López, weeks after arrest sparked violence "Shortly after crossing into Mexico, unidentified gunmen fired upon the passengers in the (minivan). All four Americans were placed in a vehicle and taken from the scene by armed men," the FBI stated. The White House said that the US is closely following the "unacceptable" kidnapping of US citizens in Mexico. "Our thoughts are with the families of these individuals and we stand ready to provide all appropriate consular assistance and U.S. law enforcement is in touch with Mexican law enforcement," White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said it is believed that the victims had entered Mexico to buy medicines and were caught up in a conflict between criminal groups. The Mexican security ministry and the FBI have been working together to find the US citizens, he added. In a statement, US ambassador to Mexico Ken Salzar said that an "innocent Mexican citizen was tragically killed" in the incident. "US law enforcement officials from numerous agencies are working with Mexican authorities at all levels of government to secure the safe return of our compatriots," he added. Matamoros, which is located across the US border from Brownsville, Texas, has seen a lot of violence related to organised crimes like drug trafficking. The highways of Tamaulipas are considered among Mexico's most dangerous areas because of the threat of extortion and kidnapping by criminal gangs. The US State Department advises people against travelling to Tamaulipas because of crime and kidnapping. WATCH | President Joe Biden visits US-Mexico border town "Organised crime activity - including gun battles, murder, armed robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, forced disappearances, extortion, and sexual assault - is common along the northern border and in Ciudad Victoria," stated a US travel advisory. "Criminal groups target public and private passenger buses, as well as private automobiles travelling through Tamaulipas, often taking passengers and demanding ransom payments," it added. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Gunmen kidnap four US citizens in Mexico, FBI goes on a manhunt

Police uncovered the nefarious act of one Pastor Albarka Bitrus Sukuya of Jenta Apata, Jos, who on several occasions staged his kidnap with his cohorts and received ransom from sympathising members of his congregation. WION’s Louisa Olaniyi tells you more.

Pastor kidnaps self twice, collects ransom from congregation

About 400 km southwest of Nigerian capital Abuja, more than 30 people were abducted from a train station in the country's southern Edo state by terrorists armed with AK-47 rifles, confirmed the state governor. The attack is the latest in a series of militant disruptions into Nigerian life and lifelines, going on to pose a challenge for government ahead of February's scheduled presidential polls.

WION Dispatch | Nigeria Train Abduction: Kidnappers demand over $44,300 from the families

A US jury has found three men guilty under domestic terrorism charges for taking part in a plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer over anger about restrictions imposed during the spread of COVID-19 in 2020.

The three accused—who are members of far-right militia group “Wolverine Watchmen”—were charged with gang membership, firearm violations and providing material support for terrorism. All of them could face jail for up to 20 years.

They were among six people arrested in October 2020 following an FBI sting operation that uncovered the plot.

The prosecutors argued the accused— Morrison, Musico and Bellar—had planned to break into the governor’s vacation home, kidnap her at gunpoint and give her a sham trial for treason.

They said that the group hoped that the kidnapping would instigate mass violence.

The defence, on the other hand, informed the court that the three men had severed their ties with the plot’s main by late summer 2020 and did not participate in the kidnap.

Reacting to the verdict, Whitmer took to Twitter shortly after the convictions were announced by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.

"Today, three defendants were found guilty of material support for terrorism, gang membership, and possession of a weapon while committing a felony in support of the plot to kidnap and kill me," Whitmer said.

"No threat, no plot, no rhetoric will break my belief in the goodness and decency of our people. And these verdicts are further proof that violence and threats have no place in our politics," Whitmer added.

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A US jury has found three men guilty under domestic terrorism charges for taking part in a plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer over anger about restrictions imposed during the spread of COVID-19 in 2020.

A US jury has found three men guilty under domestic terrorism charges for taking part in a plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer over anger about restrictions imposed during the spread of COVID-19 in 2020. The three accused—who are members of far-right militia group “Wolverine Watchmen”—were charged with gang membership, firearm violations and providing material support for terrorism. All of them could face jail for up to 20 years. They were among six people arrested in October 2020 following an FBI sting operation that uncovered the plot. The prosecutors argued the accused— Morrison, Musico and Bellar—had planned to break into the governor’s vacation home, kidnap her at gunpoint and give her a sham trial for treason. They said that the group hoped that the kidnapping would instigate mass violence. The defence, on the other hand, informed the court that the three men had severed their ties with the plot’s main by late summer 2020 and did not participate in the kidnap. Reacting to the verdict, Whitmer took to Twitter shortly after the convictions were announced by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. "Today, three defendants were found guilty of material support for terrorism, gang membership, and possession of a weapon while committing a felony in support of the plot to kidnap and kill me," Whitmer said. "No threat, no plot, no rhetoric will break my belief in the goodness and decency of our people. And these verdicts are further proof that violence and threats have no place in our politics," Whitmer added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Three men convicted on terror charges for plotting to kidnap Michigan governor

All four members of an India-origin Sikh family, including an eight-month-old girl, were found dead in an orchard in California, the Merced County sheriff said.

Briefing media on Wednesday night, Merced County Sheriff Vern Warnke said a farm worker in the area found the bodies, which were found relatively close together.

He said that the Department of Justice crime lab is going to probe the crime scene, adding&nbsp;that they "don't know all the facts yet", reports ABC News.

Terming it "horribly senseless," the sheriff said they are finding out the cause of the murder. Warnke further said he spoke to the suspect, who is in custody and admitted in the hospital, but did not provide additional details.

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Among the deceased are: eight-month-old Aroohi Dheri, her parents —27-year-old mother Jasleen Kaur and 36-year-old father Jasdeep Singh —, and the baby’s uncle, 39-year-old Amandeep Singh.

The police said that the couple and the baby were kidnapped at gunpoint from a convenience store they own in Merced County in Northern California.

The police said that the couple and the baby were kidnapped at gunpoint from a convenience store they own in Merced County in Northern California. They hailed from Harsi Pind in Hoshiarpur, Punjab.

Police found out about their kidnapping after they discovered a vehicle owned by one of the family members on fire on late Monday, which led them to determine that they had been kidnapped.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/california-four-of-indian-family-missing-kidnapper-in-custody-522614" hreflang="en">California: Four of Indian-origin Sikh family missing, kidnapper in custody, critical</a>

According to a news release, detectives received information on Tuesday morning about the accused, 48-year-old Jesus Salgado, after he used their ATM card in Atwater in Merced County.

On Tuesday, the man attempted to take his own life prior to “law enforcement involvement" and is currently in critical condition receiving medical attention, the Merced County Sheriff's Office said.

(With inputs from agencies)

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All four members of an India-origin Sikh family, including an eight-month-old girl, were found dead in an orchard in California, the Merced County sheriff said. Briefing media on Wednesday night, Merced County Sheriff Vern Warnke said a farm worker in the area found the bodies, which were found relatively close together.

All four members of an India-origin Sikh family, including an eight-month-old girl, were found dead in an orchard in California, the Merced County sheriff said. Briefing media on Wednesday night, Merced County Sheriff Vern Warnke said a farm worker in the area found the bodies, which were found relatively close together. He said that the Department of Justice crime lab is going to probe the crime scene, adding that they "don't know all the facts yet", reports ABC News. Terming it "horribly senseless," the sheriff said they are finding out the cause of the murder. Warnke further said he spoke to the suspect, who is in custody and admitted in the hospital, but did not provide additional details. × Among the deceased are: eight-month-old Aroohi Dheri, her parents —27-year-old mother Jasleen Kaur and 36-year-old father Jasdeep Singh —, and the baby’s uncle, 39-year-old Amandeep Singh. The police said that the couple and the baby were kidnapped at gunpoint from a convenience store they own in Merced County in Northern California. The police said that the couple and the baby were kidnapped at gunpoint from a convenience store they own in Merced County in Northern California. They hailed from Harsi Pind in Hoshiarpur, Punjab. Police found out about their kidnapping after they discovered a vehicle owned by one of the family members on fire on late Monday, which led them to determine that they had been kidnapped. Also read | California: Four of Indian-origin Sikh family missing, kidnapper in custody, critical According to a news release, detectives received information on Tuesday morning about the accused, 48-year-old Jesus Salgado, after he used their ATM card in Atwater in Merced County. On Tuesday, the man attempted to take his own life prior to “law enforcement involvement" and is currently in critical condition receiving medical attention, the Merced County Sheriff's Office said. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Four of Indian-origin Sikh family found dead in California day after kidnapper was held

After police in Madagascar opened fire on a lynch mob enraged by the abduction of an albino child, killing 19 people and many were injured critically.

According to a senior doctor, Tango Oscar described the injuries in gruesome detail, stating that nine of the 34 injured are critical and struggling to survive. The medics are awaiting an official chopper to transport them to the capital.

A police officer engaged in the shooting claimed that 500 protesters tried to force their way into the station while equipped with machetes and swords. He then claimed that police attempted to disperse the throng by firing tear gas first, followed by shots in the air. The police in the capital confirmed the toll as 11 dead and 18 injured.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-cyclone-batsirai-wreaks-havoc-in-madagascar-six-people-killed-thousands-displaced-451086">Also read |&nbsp;In Pics | Cyclone Batsirai wreaks havoc in Madagascar; Six people killed, thousands displaced</a>

A national police head during the conference said that the department tried everything to avoid confrontation including negotiating with the crowd. He continued that tear gas was used by security forces. The incident was still under investigation, as per the police who expressed their sympathies to the families of the deceased.

In Madagascar, revenge attacks are common. It is a sizable island nation in the Indian Ocean and is one of the world’s most improvised nations.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/madagascar-fm-calls-indo-pacific-a-legitimate-vision-bats-for-peaceful-military-ties-with-india-474163">Also read |&nbsp;Madagascar FM calls Indo-Pacific a ‘legitimate vision’; bats for peaceful military ties with India</a>

Hundreds of thousands of people worldwide, primarily in Africa, are affected by albinism, a hereditary condition brought on by a deficiency in melanin, the pigment that gives skin, hair, and eyes their colour.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania are listed as the nations with the highest prevalence of these attacks.

<o:p></o:p>

<o:p>(With inputs from agencies)</o:p>

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After police in Madagascar opened fire on a lynch mob enraged by the abduction of an albino child, killing 19 people and many were injured critically. According to a senior doctor, Tango Oscar described the injuries in gruesome detail, stating that nine of the 34 injured are critical and struggling to survive.

After police in Madagascar opened fire on a lynch mob enraged by the abduction of an albino child, killing 19 people and many were injured critically. According to a senior doctor, Tango Oscar described the injuries in gruesome detail, stating that nine of the 34 injured are critical and struggling to survive. The medics are awaiting an official chopper to transport them to the capital. A police officer engaged in the shooting claimed that 500 protesters tried to force their way into the station while equipped with machetes and swords. He then claimed that police attempted to disperse the throng by firing tear gas first, followed by shots in the air. The police in the capital confirmed the toll as 11 dead and 18 injured. Also read | In Pics | Cyclone Batsirai wreaks havoc in Madagascar; Six people killed, thousands displaced A national police head during the conference said that the department tried everything to avoid confrontation including negotiating with the crowd. He continued that tear gas was used by security forces. The incident was still under investigation, as per the police who expressed their sympathies to the families of the deceased. In Madagascar, revenge attacks are common. It is a sizable island nation in the Indian Ocean and is one of the world’s most improvised nations. Also read | Madagascar FM calls Indo-Pacific a ‘legitimate vision’; bats for peaceful military ties with India Hundreds of thousands of people worldwide, primarily in Africa, are affected by albinism, a hereditary condition brought on by a deficiency in melanin, the pigment that gives skin, hair, and eyes their colour. The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania are listed as the nations with the highest prevalence of these attacks. (With inputs from agencies)

Madagascar police confirm killing 19 people of mob enraged by the abduction of an albino child

A 31-year-old Chinese man was held captive by a gang which&nbsp;used to sell his blood online in Cambodia’s Sihanoukville coastal city.

According to reports, he was kidnapped after he was lured by a fake job advertisement.

The man, surnamed Li, managed to escape earlier this month with the help of a member of the gang which ran an online fraud operation using a fake company, the Chutian Metropolis News&nbsp;reported.

Since August 2021, the gang reportedly took 27 ounces (800 millilitres) of blood from Li each month, leaving him just enough time to replenish his blood supply.

It is being reported that the gang sold his blood online to private buyers.

Li, who previously worked as a security guard in Shenzhen and Beijing, told local media that he was lured by a different gang to southern China’s Guangxi Zhuang region through a job advertisement from a fake company.

He said that when he refused to join their fraud company, the gang abducted him and brought him to the China-Vietnam border.

After crossing the border, Li was taken to Ho Chi Minh City and then eventually to Sihanoukville, where has sold to a gang for $18,500.

Li&nbsp;said that the gang&nbsp;members are of Chinese origin. He said that there are seven others still captive.

In a statement, the Chinese embassy in Cambodia said that it has called upon Cambodian authorities to look into the case, South China Morning Post reported.

A representative of the embassy visited Li in the hospital this week.

A 31-year-old Chinese man was held captive by a gang which used to sell his blood online in Cambodia’s Sihanoukville coastal city. According to reports, he was kidnapped after he was lured by a fake job advertisement.

A 31-year-old Chinese man was held captive by a gang which used to sell his blood online in Cambodia’s Sihanoukville coastal city. According to reports, he was kidnapped after he was lured by a fake job advertisement. The man, surnamed Li, managed to escape earlier this month with the help of a member of the gang which ran an online fraud operation using a fake company, the Chutian Metropolis News reported. Since August 2021, the gang reportedly took 27 ounces (800 millilitres) of blood from Li each month, leaving him just enough time to replenish his blood supply. It is being reported that the gang sold his blood online to private buyers. Li, who previously worked as a security guard in Shenzhen and Beijing, told local media that he was lured by a different gang to southern China’s Guangxi Zhuang region through a job advertisement from a fake company. He said that when he refused to join their fraud company, the gang abducted him and brought him to the China-Vietnam border. After crossing the border, Li was taken to Ho Chi Minh City and then eventually to Sihanoukville, where has sold to a gang for $18,500. Li said that the gang members are of Chinese origin. He said that there are seven others still captive. In a statement, the Chinese embassy in Cambodia said that it has called upon Cambodian authorities to look into the case, South China Morning Post reported. A representative of the embassy visited Li in the hospital this week.

Lured by fake job ad, Chinese man held captive as ‘blood slave’ for months in Cambodia

In a heinous act, Terrorists have kidnapped around 20 children in Nigeria's Borno state. They have also stormed a village and opened fire on civilians.

Terrorists Kidnap 20 children in Nigeria's Borno state

As concerns remain over the abduction of 17-year-old Arunachal youth allegedly by China’s PLA army, Beijing on Friday not only continued its rhetoric of claiming India’s territory as their own, but also added that their army would “crack down on illegal border entry and exit”.

Speaking to reporters in Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian was quoted as saying, “Zangnan (southern part of Xizang) is China's territory. China always opposes India's illegal encroachment of Zangnan. The PLA controls the border according to law &amp; cracks down on illegal border entry &amp; exit.”

China refers to India’s northeastern Arunachal Pradesh state as Zangnan, and claims it to be part of the southern part of the Tibet region.

China’s Friday’s remark had a noticeable difference from a day earlier when it claimed that it was not aware of the disappearance of Miram Tarom.

Taron, a native of Zido village in the district, was allegedly kidnapped on January 18 from a jungle in Siyungla area, where he had gone hunting along with his friend Jhonny Yaying (27), Upper Siang district collector Shaswat Saurabh stated.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pla-allegedly-abducts-teenager-in-arunachal-pradesh-indian-army-seeks-safe-return-home-446105">&nbsp;PLA allegedly 'abducts' teenager in Arunachal Pradesh; Indian Army seeks safe return home</a>

Saurabh also said that he has found out from Yaying that it was almost dark when the Chinese soldiers surrounded them in Siyungla area, near Bishing village, news agency PTI reported.

According to news agency ANI, the Indian Army has contacted the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) for assistance.

“Assistance from the PLA has been sought to locate the individual on their side and return him as per established protocol.,” PRO Defence, Tezpur, reportedly told ANI.

“17-year-old youth Miram Tarom of Zido, Arunachal Pradesh was reportedly captured by Chinese PLA across the LAC. Indian Army immediately contacted PLA through hotline, assistance from PLA has been sought to locate and return him as per protocol," it said.

India and China have frequently clashed over their lengthy and disputed Himalayan border, and China claims the entirety of Arunachal Pradesh as part of its Tibet region.

There have been several instances of Indian civilians going missing near the border in recent years, which New Delhi has often said were kidnap attempts by China. Beijing denies this.

(With inputs from agencies)

As concerns remain over the abduction of 17-year-old Arunachal youth allegedly by China’s PLA army, Beijing on Friday not only continued its rhetoric of claiming India’s territory as their own, but also added that their army would “crack down on illegal border entry and exit”.

As concerns remain over the abduction of 17-year-old Arunachal youth allegedly by China’s PLA army, Beijing on Friday not only continued its rhetoric of claiming India’s territory as their own, but also added that their army would “crack down on illegal border entry and exit”. Speaking to reporters in Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian was quoted as saying, “Zangnan (southern part of Xizang) is China's territory. China always opposes India's illegal encroachment of Zangnan. The PLA controls the border according to law & cracks down on illegal border entry & exit.” China refers to India’s northeastern Arunachal Pradesh state as Zangnan, and claims it to be part of the southern part of the Tibet region. China’s Friday’s remark had a noticeable difference from a day earlier when it claimed that it was not aware of the disappearance of Miram Tarom. Taron, a native of Zido village in the district, was allegedly kidnapped on January 18 from a jungle in Siyungla area, where he had gone hunting along with his friend Jhonny Yaying (27), Upper Siang district collector Shaswat Saurabh stated. Also read | PLA allegedly 'abducts' teenager in Arunachal Pradesh; Indian Army seeks safe return home Saurabh also said that he has found out from Yaying that it was almost dark when the Chinese soldiers surrounded them in Siyungla area, near Bishing village, news agency PTI reported. According to news agency ANI, the Indian Army has contacted the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) for assistance. “Assistance from the PLA has been sought to locate the individual on their side and return him as per established protocol.,” PRO Defence, Tezpur, reportedly told ANI. “17-year-old youth Miram Tarom of Zido, Arunachal Pradesh was reportedly captured by Chinese PLA across the LAC. Indian Army immediately contacted PLA through hotline, assistance from PLA has been sought to locate and return him as per protocol," it said. India and China have frequently clashed over their lengthy and disputed Himalayan border, and China claims the entirety of Arunachal Pradesh as part of its Tibet region. There have been several instances of Indian civilians going missing near the border in recent years, which New Delhi has often said were kidnap attempts by China. Beijing denies this. (With inputs from agencies)

China responds to Arunachal boy’s kidnap, says will ‘crack down on illegal border entry & exit’

Tapir Gao a BJP MP from Arunachal Pradesh has claimed that China's PLA has abducted a 17-yr-old Indian boy. The Indian Army (PRO Defence Tezpur) says it has contacted the PLA to trace the missing teenager. Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas: Indian lawmaker claims PLA kidnapped 17-yr-old boy

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China has kidnapped a 17-year-old teenager, Miram Taron belonging to the Upper Siang district of the Indian Territory.

China's PLA abducts 17-year-old boy from Indian territory in Arunachal Pradesh

China's People's Liberation Army has kidnapped a 17-year-old boy from India's Arunachal Pradesh. A lawmaker from the states Tapir Gao talked about the incident on twitter. The teenager has been identified as Miram Taron, he was kidnapped by the PLA.

China's PLA kidnaps 17-year-old Indian boy from Arunachal Pradesh

After armed men snatched seven of Abubakar Adam`s 11 children in northwestern Nigeria, he sold his car and a parcel of land and cleaned out his savings to raise a ransom to free them.

He sent his 3 million naira ($7,300) into the bush, together with payments from other families in his town of Tegina. The kidnappers took the money, seized one of the men delivering it and sent back a new demand for more cash and six motorbikes.

"We are in agony," the 40-year-old tyre repairman told Reuters, still waiting for any sign of what happened to his children three months after the mass abduction. "Honestly I don`t have anything left."

Kidnappers have taken more than 1,000 students since December amid a rash of abductions across the impoverished northwest. Around 300 of the children have still not been returned, according to a Reuters tally of reports.

President Muhammadu Buhari has told states not to pay anything to kidnappers, saying it will only encourage more abductions. Security agencies say they are targeting the bandits with military action and other methods.

Meanwhile, hundreds of parents are facing the same quandary: do everything they can to raise the ransoms themselves, or risk never seeing their children again. 
"We are begging the government to help," said Aminu Salisu, whose eight-year-old son was taken in the same daylight raid on Tegina`s Salihu Tanko Islamic school in May, alongside more than 130 students.

Salisu cleared out his own savings and sold everything in his shop to raise his contribution. The owner of the school sold off half the grounds. Together, with the help of friends, relatives and strangers, the people of Tegina said they raised 30 million naira.

But that still wasn`t enough for the bandits.

Kidnappers collected more than $18 million in ransom from June 2011 to March 2020 in Nigeria, according to an estimate by Lagos-based analysts SBM Intelligence.

That flood of cash brought a flood of new kidnappers, said Bulama Bukarti, an analyst in the Extremism Policy Unit of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change. He estimated there were currently around 30,000 bandits operating in the northwest.

"It`s the most thriving, the most lucrative industry in Nigeria," he told Reuters. Kidnapping has become a tempting career choice for young men at a time of economic slump, double-digit inflation and 33% unemployment.

"From December, we saw the Pandora`s box open. They saw it was possible. They saw that nothing happened to the attackers," Bukarti said.

In December, gunmen kidnapped 344 boys from the Government Science Secondary School in the northwestern state of Katsina during a night-time raid. The kidnappers released the boys a week later, but it set off a spate of similar kidnappings across the region.

The bandits took a page from the Islamist militant group Boko Haram, which seized more than 200 schoolgirls from the northeastern town of Chibok in 2014. That group had ideological aims and forced some of the girls to marry fighters.

The armed kidnappers in the northwest are motivated by money, experts say.

"A LIFE-AND-DEATH MATTER"

The abductions have piled more pressure on President Buhari, who promised to tackle insecurity at his inauguration in 2019.

They have also tested the security services. The military - pitted against the kidnappers in the northwest, Islamist insurgents in the northeast, separatists in the southeast and piracy in the

Delta - is deployed to at least 30 of Nigeria`s 36 states.

Information Minister Lai Mohammed, in an interview with Reuters, defended the strategy not to pay ransoms.

Instead, he said, the government had destroyed multiple bandit camps and tried other approaches to tackle banditry.

He declined to give details, citing the need for secrecy around ongoing operations, but said all levels of government are working to free the children.

"We are winning the war against insurgency and we are winning the war against banditry," Mohammed said.

The government of Niger state, which includes Tegina, declined to comment. Officials working with the governor said they needed to keep their efforts secret.

Meanwhile, the challenges keep mounting.

The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED), an NGO, tracked a 28% increase in violence nationwide in Nigeria in the first six months of 2021, compared with the previous six months.

Reported fatalities from violence nationwide rose 61% to 5,197, it said.

It all explains, Bukarti of the Extremism Policy Unit said, why Adam and other parents are willing to sell everything they have to pay ransoms themselves.

"They cannot afford (it) by any means. But it`s a life-and-death matter. And they know security agencies cannot free their loved ones."

After armed men snatched seven of Abubakar Adam`s 11 children in northwestern Nigeria, he sold his car and a parcel of land and cleaned out his savings to raise a ransom to free them.

After armed men snatched seven of Abubakar Adam`s 11 children in northwestern Nigeria, he sold his car and a parcel of land and cleaned out his savings to raise a ransom to free them. He sent his 3 million naira ($7,300) into the bush, together with payments from other families in his town of Tegina. The kidnappers took the money, seized one of the men delivering it and sent back a new demand for more cash and six motorbikes. "We are in agony," the 40-year-old tyre repairman told Reuters, still waiting for any sign of what happened to his children three months after the mass abduction. "Honestly I don`t have anything left." Kidnappers have taken more than 1,000 students since December amid a rash of abductions across the impoverished northwest. Around 300 of the children have still not been returned, according to a Reuters tally of reports. President Muhammadu Buhari has told states not to pay anything to kidnappers, saying it will only encourage more abductions. Security agencies say they are targeting the bandits with military action and other methods. Meanwhile, hundreds of parents are facing the same quandary: do everything they can to raise the ransoms themselves, or risk never seeing their children again. "We are begging the government to help," said Aminu Salisu, whose eight-year-old son was taken in the same daylight raid on Tegina`s Salihu Tanko Islamic school in May, alongside more than 130 students. Salisu cleared out his own savings and sold everything in his shop to raise his contribution. The owner of the school sold off half the grounds. Together, with the help of friends, relatives and strangers, the people of Tegina said they raised 30 million naira. But that still wasn`t enough for the bandits. Kidnappers collected more than $18 million in ransom from June 2011 to March 2020 in Nigeria, according to an estimate by Lagos-based analysts SBM Intelligence. That flood of cash brought a flood of new kidnappers, said Bulama Bukarti, an analyst in the Extremism Policy Unit of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change. He estimated there were currently around 30,000 bandits operating in the northwest. "It`s the most thriving, the most lucrative industry in Nigeria," he told Reuters. Kidnapping has become a tempting career choice for young men at a time of economic slump, double-digit inflation and 33% unemployment. "From December, we saw the Pandora`s box open. They saw it was possible. They saw that nothing happened to the attackers," Bukarti said. In December, gunmen kidnapped 344 boys from the Government Science Secondary School in the northwestern state of Katsina during a night-time raid. The kidnappers released the boys a week later, but it set off a spate of similar kidnappings across the region. The bandits took a page from the Islamist militant group Boko Haram, which seized more than 200 schoolgirls from the northeastern town of Chibok in 2014. That group had ideological aims and forced some of the girls to marry fighters. The armed kidnappers in the northwest are motivated by money, experts say. "A LIFE-AND-DEATH MATTER" The abductions have piled more pressure on President Buhari, who promised to tackle insecurity at his inauguration in 2019. They have also tested the security services. The military - pitted against the kidnappers in the northwest, Islamist insurgents in the northeast, separatists in the southeast and piracy in the Delta - is deployed to at least 30 of Nigeria`s 36 states. Information Minister Lai Mohammed, in an interview with Reuters, defended the strategy not to pay ransoms. Instead, he said, the government had destroyed multiple bandit camps and tried other approaches to tackle banditry. He declined to give details, citing the need for secrecy around ongoing operations, but said all levels of government are working to free the children. "We are winning the war against insurgency and we are winning the war against banditry," Mohammed said. The government of Niger state, which includes Tegina, declined to comment. Officials working with the governor said they needed to keep their efforts secret. Meanwhile, the challenges keep mounting. The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED), an NGO, tracked a 28% increase in violence nationwide in Nigeria in the first six months of 2021, compared with the previous six months. Reported fatalities from violence nationwide rose 61% to 5,197, it said. It all explains, Bukarti of the Extremism Policy Unit said, why Adam and other parents are willing to sell everything they have to pay ransoms themselves. "They cannot afford (it) by any means. But it`s a life-and-death matter. And they know security agencies cannot free their loved ones."

Desperate Nigerians sell homes and land to free kidnapped children

A&nbsp;politician&nbsp;was abducted from his home in northern&nbsp;Nigeria&nbsp;on Monday and a&nbsp;Swiss&nbsp;national&nbsp;was&nbsp;kidnapped in a separate incident in the southwest over the weekend, authorities said.

Abductions for ransom have become a big problem in many areas of&nbsp;Nigeria&nbsp;in recent months, fuelled in part by economic hardship linked to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mohammed Sani Idris, a member of the state government in northern Niger State, was taken from his home in the village of Baban Tunga during the night by unknown assailants, a spokeswoman for the state governor said.

In southwestern Ogun State, a&nbsp;Swiss&nbsp;national&nbsp;and his&nbsp;Nigerian driver were abducted on Saturday after a gunfight between their police escort and unknown attackers, said Abimbola Oyeyemi, the state's police spokesman.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-report-warns-more-vicious-floods-heatwaves-worsening-droughts-and-rise-in-sea-levels-404186">Also read |&nbsp;UN report warns more vicious floods, heatwaves, worsening droughts and rise in sea levels</a>

"In an exchange of gunfire, the police killed two of the bandits but the rest used the&nbsp;victims&nbsp;as human shields so the police couldn't act further," he said.

"Police and other security agencies have mobilised and are on the trail of the bandits to rescue the&nbsp;victims."

The rise in abductions and armed robberies, especially in rural areas, is having a devastating effect on&nbsp;Nigerian society, with food shortages on the rise as farmers are unable to access their fields, and people are too scared to travel anywhere.

The crisis is particularly bad in northwestern states, where more than 1,000 schoolchildren have been&nbsp;kidnapped since December in attacks on schools. Some have been released following ransom payments.

A politician was abducted from his home in northern Nigeria on Monday and a Swiss national was kidnapped in a separate incident in the southwest over the weekend, authorities said.

A politician was abducted from his home in northern Nigeria on Monday and a Swiss national was kidnapped in a separate incident in the southwest over the weekend, authorities said. Abductions for ransom have become a big problem in many areas of Nigeria in recent months, fuelled in part by economic hardship linked to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mohammed Sani Idris, a member of the state government in northern Niger State, was taken from his home in the village of Baban Tunga during the night by unknown assailants, a spokeswoman for the state governor said. In southwestern Ogun State, a Swiss national and his Nigerian driver were abducted on Saturday after a gunfight between their police escort and unknown attackers, said Abimbola Oyeyemi, the state's police spokesman. Also read | UN report warns more vicious floods, heatwaves, worsening droughts and rise in sea levels "In an exchange of gunfire, the police killed two of the bandits but the rest used the victims as human shields so the police couldn't act further," he said. "Police and other security agencies have mobilised and are on the trail of the bandits to rescue the victims." The rise in abductions and armed robberies, especially in rural areas, is having a devastating effect on Nigerian society, with food shortages on the rise as farmers are unable to access their fields, and people are too scared to travel anywhere. The crisis is particularly bad in northwestern states, where more than 1,000 schoolchildren have been kidnapped since December in attacks on schools. Some have been released following ransom payments.

Local politician, Swiss national among latest kidnap victims in Nigeria

Nigerian officials have warned that IS-aligned jihadists are training criminal gangs engaged in mass kidnappings in the country's northwest, in a sign of deepening cooperation between armed factions.

The development could complicate threats facing Nigeria's security forces who are mired in a 12-year conflict with Islamist militants in northeast Borno while battling criminals across northwestern states.&nbsp;

In a July 23 memo sent to his officers and seen by AFP, Nigeria's immigration chief Muhammad Babandede warned of mass "movement of bandits from Zamfara in northwest to Borno for intensive Boko Haram training."

Nigerian officials use Boko Haram as a general term for all jihadist groups and heavily armed criminal gangs are often referred to locally as bandits.

"In view of this information,... you should intensify monitoring and surveillance around your area of jurisdiction with the view to gathering information," the memo said.

Since the conflict began in 2009, several factions emerged within Nigeria's Boko Haram jihadist group, with the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) now the dominant force after breaking away in 2016.

Since May,&nbsp;ISWAP has consolidated control in the northeast and security sources say militants forged a closer alliance with gangs in the northwest following the death&nbsp;of Boko Haram's leader Abubakar Shekau in clashes with ISWAP fighters.&nbsp;

Northwest Nigeria has been long been terrorised by criminal gangs who raid villages, steal cattle, kidnap residents and burn homes after looting supplies.

Military deployments and peace deals&nbsp;have failed to end attacks by the bandits who hide in camps in Rugu forest, straddling Katsina, Kaduna, Zamfara and Niger states.&nbsp;

Recently the heavily armed gangs have turned to mass kidnappings of students from schools and colleges to squeeze out more ransom cash.&nbsp;

The bandits chase financial gain and have no known ideological leanings, but there has been growing concern among security experts and officials over their ties with jihadists.

The alliance assures mutual benefits: Jihadists make money by supplying arms to the bandits who use them in raids on villages and kidnapping for ransom.&nbsp;

"It is no surprise that the bandits are moving to the northeast for training with ISWAP," said one security source in the region who has been involved in fighting criminal gangs.

"The more the bandits forge alliance with jihadists, the more they get radicalised, dimming the possibility of any peace deal with authorities."

Growing collaboration

Jihadist cooperation with criminal gangs is not new in Nigeria.

Two years ago, Nigeria's then defence minister warned about bandit ties with Boko Haram in Zamfara.

Awwalun Daudawa, a bandit chief behind the kidnapping of 300 students from Kankara in December, was a former Boko Haram gunrunner.

He was killed in May in clashes with a rival gang.

Another al-Qaeda-affiliated jihadist group, Ansaru, operates in Kogi and Kaduna states and near Abuja, often collaborating with bandits, according to another security source who took part in operations against the militants.

ISWAP kept links with bandits in Zamfara state since its formation and has camps in forests in the state, according to local sources with deep knowledge of bandit activities.

But the deepening ties between ISWAP and bandits appear to have emboldened the criminals, said the security source in the region.

The bandits may feel more morally justified for their crimes, now they are increasingly aligned with ISWAP which claims to be waging a holy war, said the security source.

Local officials have made several peace deals with bandits, only for the criminals to renege, sometimes at the instigation of the jihadist group, sources with knowledge of the amnesty deals said.

ISWAP was instrumental in the internal squabbles between Buharin Daji, a criminal kingpin in Zamfara, and his lieutenant Dogo Gide, said one local source with past contacts with jihadists.

In March 2018 Gide and his gang killed Daji and seven of his lieutenants in a meeting at the behest of ISWAP who saw him as an obstacle in their effort to strengthen alliance with criminals gangs.&nbsp;

Buharin Daji was opposed to ISWAP on the grounds that they wanted to spread their hardline Salafi interpretation of Islam among his people, said the source.

Gide later reneged on a peace deal with authorities in Zamfara on ISWAP orders before relocating to Niger state, from where he has coordinated kidnappings.

With Shekau out of the way, closer collaboration between ISWAP jihadists and bandits may increase, said another security source in the northeast.

"Shekau was, in a way, a stumbling block in ISWAP's plan for closer cooperation," the source said. "Now that Shekau is dead and Boko Haram subdued, the coast is clear."

Nigerian officials have warned that IS-aligned jihadists are training criminal gangs engaged in mass kidnappings in the country's northwest, in a sign of deepening cooperation between armed factions.

Nigerian officials have warned that IS-aligned jihadists are training criminal gangs engaged in mass kidnappings in the country's northwest, in a sign of deepening cooperation between armed factions. The development could complicate threats facing Nigeria's security forces who are mired in a 12-year conflict with Islamist militants in northeast Borno while battling criminals across northwestern states. In a July 23 memo sent to his officers and seen by AFP, Nigeria's immigration chief Muhammad Babandede warned of mass "movement of bandits from Zamfara in northwest to Borno for intensive Boko Haram training." Nigerian officials use Boko Haram as a general term for all jihadist groups and heavily armed criminal gangs are often referred to locally as bandits. "In view of this information,... you should intensify monitoring and surveillance around your area of jurisdiction with the view to gathering information," the memo said. Since the conflict began in 2009, several factions emerged within Nigeria's Boko Haram jihadist group, with the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) now the dominant force after breaking away in 2016. Since May, ISWAP has consolidated control in the northeast and security sources say militants forged a closer alliance with gangs in the northwest following the death of Boko Haram's leader Abubakar Shekau in clashes with ISWAP fighters. Northwest Nigeria has been long been terrorised by criminal gangs who raid villages, steal cattle, kidnap residents and burn homes after looting supplies. Military deployments and peace deals have failed to end attacks by the bandits who hide in camps in Rugu forest, straddling Katsina, Kaduna, Zamfara and Niger states. Recently the heavily armed gangs have turned to mass kidnappings of students from schools and colleges to squeeze out more ransom cash. The bandits chase financial gain and have no known ideological leanings, but there has been growing concern among security experts and officials over their ties with jihadists. The alliance assures mutual benefits: Jihadists make money by supplying arms to the bandits who use them in raids on villages and kidnapping for ransom. "It is no surprise that the bandits are moving to the northeast for training with ISWAP," said one security source in the region who has been involved in fighting criminal gangs. "The more the bandits forge alliance with jihadists, the more they get radicalised, dimming the possibility of any peace deal with authorities." Growing collaboration Jihadist cooperation with criminal gangs is not new in Nigeria. Two years ago, Nigeria's then defence minister warned about bandit ties with Boko Haram in Zamfara. Awwalun Daudawa, a bandit chief behind the kidnapping of 300 students from Kankara in December, was a former Boko Haram gunrunner. He was killed in May in clashes with a rival gang. Another al-Qaeda-affiliated jihadist group, Ansaru, operates in Kogi and Kaduna states and near Abuja, often collaborating with bandits, according to another security source who took part in operations against the militants. ISWAP kept links with bandits in Zamfara state since its formation and has camps in forests in the state, according to local sources with deep knowledge of bandit activities. But the deepening ties between ISWAP and bandits appear to have emboldened the criminals, said the security source in the region. The bandits may feel more morally justified for their crimes, now they are increasingly aligned with ISWAP which claims to be waging a holy war, said the security source. Local officials have made several peace deals with bandits, only for the criminals to renege, sometimes at the instigation of the jihadist group, sources with knowledge of the amnesty deals said. ISWAP was instrumental in the internal squabbles between Buharin Daji, a criminal kingpin in Zamfara, and his lieutenant Dogo Gide, said one local source with past contacts with jihadists. In March 2018 Gide and his gang killed Daji and seven of his lieutenants in a meeting at the behest of ISWAP who saw him as an obstacle in their effort to strengthen alliance with criminals gangs. Buharin Daji was opposed to ISWAP on the grounds that they wanted to spread their hardline Salafi interpretation of Islam among his people, said the source. Gide later reneged on a peace deal with authorities in Zamfara on ISWAP orders before relocating to Niger state, from where he has coordinated kidnappings. With Shekau out of the way, closer collaboration between ISWAP jihadists and bandits may increase, said another security source in the northeast. "Shekau was, in a way, a stumbling block in ISWAP's plan for closer cooperation," the source said. "Now that Shekau is dead and Boko Haram subdued, the coast is clear."

Nigeria warns kidnap gangs train with jihadists as cooperation grows

Gunmen kidnapped 140 students from a boarding school on Monday, an official said. The school is located in northwestern Nigeria. This incident is latest in the spate of abductions targetting schoolchildren.

Criminal gangs, heavily-armed, often attack villages to loot, steal cattle and abduct for ransom in northwest and central Nigeria. Since the start of the year, they have increasingly targetted schools and collges.

In the latest incident, the attackers opened fire and overpowered security guards of Bethel Baptist High School in Kaduna state in the early hours of Monday. They abducted most of the 165 pupils boarding there.

"The kidnappers took away 140 students, only 25 students escaped. We still have no idea where the students were taken," Emmanuel Paul, a teacher at the school told AFP.

Kaduna state police spokesman Muhammed Jalige could not give exact number of students abducted.

"Tactical police teams went after the kidnappers," he said. "We are still on the rescue mission." 
Police said they had safely rescued 26 people, including a female teacher.

Around 1,000 students and pupils have been abducted in Nigeria since December. Most have been released after negotiations with local officials, although some are still being held.

Often, gangs target rural schools and colleges where students stay in dormitories and security is light, allowing them to easily transport large numbers of victims to forest hideouts to negotiate ransoms.

(With inputs from agencies)

Gunmen kidnapped 140 students from a boarding school on Monday, an official said. The school is located in northwestern Nigeria. This incident is latest in the spate of abductions targetting schoolchildren.

Gunmen kidnapped 140 students from a boarding school on Monday, an official said. The school is located in northwestern Nigeria. This incident is latest in the spate of abductions targetting schoolchildren. Criminal gangs, heavily-armed, often attack villages to loot, steal cattle and abduct for ransom in northwest and central Nigeria. Since the start of the year, they have increasingly targetted schools and collges. In the latest incident, the attackers opened fire and overpowered security guards of Bethel Baptist High School in Kaduna state in the early hours of Monday. They abducted most of the 165 pupils boarding there. "The kidnappers took away 140 students, only 25 students escaped. We still have no idea where the students were taken," Emmanuel Paul, a teacher at the school told AFP. Kaduna state police spokesman Muhammed Jalige could not give exact number of students abducted. "Tactical police teams went after the kidnappers," he said. "We are still on the rescue mission." Police said they had safely rescued 26 people, including a female teacher. Around 1,000 students and pupils have been abducted in Nigeria since December. Most have been released after negotiations with local officials, although some are still being held. Often, gangs target rural schools and colleges where students stay in dormitories and security is light, allowing them to easily transport large numbers of victims to forest hideouts to negotiate ransoms. (With inputs from agencies)

Nigeria: Gunmen kidnap 140 students from boarding school

Venezuela&nbsp;on Saturday condemned what it said was the "kidnapping" of&nbsp;eight&nbsp;soldiers&nbsp;by&nbsp;armed&nbsp;groups&nbsp;operating on the&nbsp;Colombian&nbsp;border, where clashes have been ongoing for nearly two months.

'During the fighting,&nbsp;eight&nbsp;professional&nbsp;soldiers&nbsp;were captured and on May 9 we received proof of life,'&nbsp;Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez said in a televised statement.

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'We denounce before the international community... the appalling&nbsp;kidnapping&nbsp;of these&nbsp;soldiers,'&nbsp;he said.

Venezuela's&nbsp;armed&nbsp;forces have engaged in clashes with&nbsp;Colombian&nbsp;armed&nbsp;groups&nbsp;along the border since March 21, displacing thousands of civilians who fled to Colombia.

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Venezuela&nbsp;does not name the&nbsp;armed&nbsp;groups&nbsp;it blames for the unrest, apart from calling them 'terrorists'&nbsp;or linking them to drug trafficking or to&nbsp;Colombian&nbsp;President Ivan Duque.

However, security sources in Colombia say they are likely dissidents of the now-disbanded Revolutionary&nbsp;Armed&nbsp;Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebel group, an analysis Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has conceded was possible.

'We will spare no effort and we will exhaust all possible ways to recover them safe and sound,'&nbsp;Padrino said of the&nbsp;soldiers, surrounded by members of the country's military brass.

Last Monday, Fundaredes, an NGO that is critical of Maduro, published documents from alleged FARC dissidents detailing how the&nbsp;eight&nbsp;soldiers&nbsp;were 'captured as prisoners of war,'&nbsp;in clashes with&nbsp;Venezuela.

In the documents, the dissidents appealed to the Red Cross to act as an intermediary for handing over the captives.

The Red Cross told AFP it was aware of the text, but would not comment on it at present.

According to Padrino,&nbsp;Venezuela's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is coordinating with the Red Cross to 'serve as a link in the delivery'&nbsp;of the&nbsp;soldiers.

'We have established the necessary contacts for an early release,'&nbsp;he said.

A total of 16 members of the Venezuelan&nbsp;armed&nbsp;forces have died since the clashes began, according to an official report by the Venezuelan Ministry of Defense.

Venezuela&nbsp;and Colombia, which share a 2,200-kilometer (1,370-mile) border, severed ties in January 2019, after Duque's government recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as the leader of&nbsp;Venezuela&nbsp;over Maduro.

Venezuela on Saturday condemned what it said was the "kidnapping" of eight soldiers by armed groups operating on the Colombian border, where clashes have been ongoing for nearly two months.

Venezuela on Saturday condemned what it said was the "kidnapping" of eight soldiers by armed groups operating on the Colombian border, where clashes have been ongoing for nearly two months. 'During the fighting, eight professional soldiers were captured and on May 9 we received proof of life,' Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez said in a televised statement. Also read: Colombians in Madrid march to support protests in home country 'We denounce before the international community... the appalling kidnapping of these soldiers,' he said. Venezuela's armed forces have engaged in clashes with Colombian armed groups along the border since March 21, displacing thousands of civilians who fled to Colombia. Also read: Venezuela government wants to use funds frozen in US to pay for vaccines Venezuela does not name the armed groups it blames for the unrest, apart from calling them 'terrorists' or linking them to drug trafficking or to Colombian President Ivan Duque. However, security sources in Colombia say they are likely dissidents of the now-disbanded Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebel group, an analysis Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has conceded was possible. 'We will spare no effort and we will exhaust all possible ways to recover them safe and sound,' Padrino said of the soldiers, surrounded by members of the country's military brass. Last Monday, Fundaredes, an NGO that is critical of Maduro, published documents from alleged FARC dissidents detailing how the eight soldiers were 'captured as prisoners of war,' in clashes with Venezuela. In the documents, the dissidents appealed to the Red Cross to act as an intermediary for handing over the captives. The Red Cross told AFP it was aware of the text, but would not comment on it at present. According to Padrino, Venezuela's Ministry of Foreign Affairs is coordinating with the Red Cross to 'serve as a link in the delivery' of the soldiers. 'We have established the necessary contacts for an early release,' he said. A total of 16 members of the Venezuelan armed forces have died since the clashes began, according to an official report by the Venezuelan Ministry of Defense. Venezuela and Colombia, which share a 2,200-kilometer (1,370-mile) border, severed ties in January 2019, after Duque's government recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as the leader of Venezuela over Maduro.

Venezuela denounces 'kidnapping' of eight soldiers by Colombian armed groups

Three men have been arrested for masterminding the kidnapping of two Italians who were held captive in Syria for three years, Italian police said Tuesday.

Over the course of 2016, the three who were arrested -- all from the northern Brescia province -- had convinced two businessmen from the area to travel to Turkey.

One of the two, Alessandro Sandrini, was convinced to go with the offer of faking his own kidnapping during the trip, and earn ransom money.&nbsp;

The other businessman, Sergio Zanotti, made the journey after being promised a business deal involving Iraqi currency.

Once in Turkey, both businessmen were captured for real near the Syrian border and taken to Syria, where they were held captive by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a jihadist group.

According to a police statement, the three men who were arrested had associates in Turkey who carried out the kidnapping and handed the two Italians over to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.&nbsp;

Zanotti left Italy in April 2016 and remained a prisoner until April 2019. Sandrini arrived in Turkey in October 2016 and was freed in May 2019.&nbsp;

Media reports, which quoted investigative sources, said Sandrini was charged for fraud and simulating a crime, as part of the same probe that led to Tuesday's arrests.

Police said a third businessman was approached about making the trip to Turkey, but pulled out at the last minute, refusing to board his plane.

Three men have been arrested for masterminding the kidnapping of two Italians who were held captive in Syria for three years, Italian police said Tuesday. Over the course of 2016, the three who were arrested -- all from the northern Brescia province -- had convinced two businessmen from the area to travel to Turkey.

Three men have been arrested for masterminding the kidnapping of two Italians who were held captive in Syria for three years, Italian police said Tuesday. Over the course of 2016, the three who were arrested -- all from the northern Brescia province -- had convinced two businessmen from the area to travel to Turkey. One of the two, Alessandro Sandrini, was convinced to go with the offer of faking his own kidnapping during the trip, and earn ransom money. The other businessman, Sergio Zanotti, made the journey after being promised a business deal involving Iraqi currency. Once in Turkey, both businessmen were captured for real near the Syrian border and taken to Syria, where they were held captive by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a jihadist group. According to a police statement, the three men who were arrested had associates in Turkey who carried out the kidnapping and handed the two Italians over to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. Zanotti left Italy in April 2016 and remained a prisoner until April 2019. Sandrini arrived in Turkey in October 2016 and was freed in May 2019. Media reports, which quoted investigative sources, said Sandrini was charged for fraud and simulating a crime, as part of the same probe that led to Tuesday's arrests. Police said a third businessman was approached about making the trip to Turkey, but pulled out at the last minute, refusing to board his plane.

Three held in Italy over fake kidnapping that turned real 

One day, about a half-century ago, William Heiser Jr. came home from boarding school to find that his mother was gone. His father, William Sr., a former police officer, told him and his sister that their mother had walked out.

“He just said she just packed up her stuff and left,” Heiser said, even though some of her clothes and belongings were still in their house in Philadelphia.

Heiser, 68, said he figured that his parents had grown apart or divorced. Sometimes, he wondered if his mother had been upset at him and his sister. As the years went on, the disappearance of his mother, Marie Petry Heiser, became more painful, as Heiser and his sister questioned why she never called or wrote. When they asked their father where she was, he would tell them he didn’t know.

“‘I haven’t heard; I don’t know where she’s at,’” the elder Heiser would tell them, the son recalled. “We had no reason to question him because we hadn’t heard neither.”

Now, the long mystery of Marie Heiser’s disappearance has been solved — at least in part.

This past week, police announced that Marie Heiser was the victim of a homicide and that her remains had been discovered more than 40 years ago, in June 1977, by a teenager who was biking home in a wooded area of Townsend, Delaware, about 65 miles south of the Heisers’ home in Philadelphia.

Those remains had never been identified, but they were recently connected to Heiser through DNA technology that traced her family tree back to her children. The police said they were continuing to investigate how she had been killed and had not identified a suspect.

Heiser, who was 50 when she died, was never reported missing, and the elder William Heiser died in 2006. The police said his explanation that Marie Heiser had left the family was one of many questions they were investigating.

“We’re looking into every aspect of the case and, trust me, that has not passed us,” said Master Cpl. Michel Eckerd of the New Castle County Police Department in Delaware.

The younger William Heiser said he was certain that his father had nothing to do with his mother’s disappearance.

“He would be the last person that would ever hurt anybody,” said Heiser, who followed his father into law enforcement and is retired from the Volusia County Sheriff’s Department in Florida. “He was a saint — took care of his family, never raised his voice or hands or argued or anything.”

Marie Heiser was a homemaker and a part-time employee at the former Ashbourne Country Club in Cheltenham, Pennsylvania, in the 1970s, the police said. Eckerd said he hoped someone in the public who knew her or the family would come forward with information.

“She was very involved in the community in Philadelphia,” he said.

Heiser said he remembered going to the Jersey Shore and strolling along the boardwalk with his mother.

“She took care of us, and we had good times when I was smaller,” he said. “She was just a good person.”

William Heiser Sr. was a member of the Philadelphia Police Department’s Highway Patrol from the 1950s until the early 1960s, the police said. The patrol was known for performing thrill shows in stadiums and arenas, and Heiser had to leave the force after being seriously injured while rehearsing for a show, police said.

He went on to work as a truck driver and moved to South Daytona Beach, Florida, in the late 1970s, police said.

In June 1977, the New Castle County Police responded to the discovery of a woman’s remains in the Townsend area. The Delaware medical examiner determined at the time that the woman was the victim of a homicide, and police conducted an extensive investigation.

But authorities could not identify her or obtain any leads, police said. The case went cold, as fingerprints and dental records failed to turn up any matches.

Then, in 2008, investigators extracted a DNA profile from the remains. But, police said, the DNA failed to lead to a match after it was entered it into a national database.

In February 2017, police sent the sample to a Virginia company, Parabon NanoLabs, where a forensic artist, Thom Shaw, used the sample to create a sketch of the victim. The lab also mapped her potential family tree.

In 2019, a police officer in Montgomery County, Maryland, Steven Smugeresky, took over the ancestry research and worked tirelessly to develop leads on the identity of the remains, police said. The New Castle County Police followed up on those leads and obtained DNA samples from possible relatives.

Heiser said he got a call about two months ago from an investigator who asked him for a DNA sample and explained, “We think we might have found your mother’s remains.”

“It was a shock to us,” he said. “You’re never expecting a phone call like that, ever.”

A few weeks later, he said, police called him again to say the remains had been conclusively identified.

“You’re thinking, ‘Well, as horrible as this story is, there’s some closure,’” he said.

But the discovery has also raised more questions, he said, about who might have killed his mother.

“Before, we wondered where our mother was,” he said. “Now, we’re wondering what happened to our mother. So one door closes, another opens.”

One day, about a half-century ago, William Heiser Jr. came home from boarding school to find that his mother was gone. His father, William Sr., a former police officer, told him and his sister that their mother had walked out.

One day, about a half-century ago, William Heiser Jr. came home from boarding school to find that his mother was gone. His father, William Sr., a former police officer, told him and his sister that their mother had walked out. “He just said she just packed up her stuff and left,” Heiser said, even though some of her clothes and belongings were still in their house in Philadelphia. Heiser, 68, said he figured that his parents had grown apart or divorced. Sometimes, he wondered if his mother had been upset at him and his sister. As the years went on, the disappearance of his mother, Marie Petry Heiser, became more painful, as Heiser and his sister questioned why she never called or wrote. When they asked their father where she was, he would tell them he didn’t know. “‘I haven’t heard; I don’t know where she’s at,’” the elder Heiser would tell them, the son recalled. “We had no reason to question him because we hadn’t heard neither.” Now, the long mystery of Marie Heiser’s disappearance has been solved — at least in part. This past week, police announced that Marie Heiser was the victim of a homicide and that her remains had been discovered more than 40 years ago, in June 1977, by a teenager who was biking home in a wooded area of Townsend, Delaware, about 65 miles south of the Heisers’ home in Philadelphia. Those remains had never been identified, but they were recently connected to Heiser through DNA technology that traced her family tree back to her children. The police said they were continuing to investigate how she had been killed and had not identified a suspect. Heiser, who was 50 when she died, was never reported missing, and the elder William Heiser died in 2006. The police said his explanation that Marie Heiser had left the family was one of many questions they were investigating. “We’re looking into every aspect of the case and, trust me, that has not passed us,” said Master Cpl. Michel Eckerd of the New Castle County Police Department in Delaware. The younger William Heiser said he was certain that his father had nothing to do with his mother’s disappearance. “He would be the last person that would ever hurt anybody,” said Heiser, who followed his father into law enforcement and is retired from the Volusia County Sheriff’s Department in Florida. “He was a saint — took care of his family, never raised his voice or hands or argued or anything.” Marie Heiser was a homemaker and a part-time employee at the former Ashbourne Country Club in Cheltenham, Pennsylvania, in the 1970s, the police said. Eckerd said he hoped someone in the public who knew her or the family would come forward with information. “She was very involved in the community in Philadelphia,” he said. Heiser said he remembered going to the Jersey Shore and strolling along the boardwalk with his mother. “She took care of us, and we had good times when I was smaller,” he said. “She was just a good person.” William Heiser Sr. was a member of the Philadelphia Police Department’s Highway Patrol from the 1950s until the early 1960s, the police said. The patrol was known for performing thrill shows in stadiums and arenas, and Heiser had to leave the force after being seriously injured while rehearsing for a show, police said. He went on to work as a truck driver and moved to South Daytona Beach, Florida, in the late 1970s, police said. In June 1977, the New Castle County Police responded to the discovery of a woman’s remains in the Townsend area. The Delaware medical examiner determined at the time that the woman was the victim of a homicide, and police conducted an extensive investigation. But authorities could not identify her or obtain any leads, police said. The case went cold, as fingerprints and dental records failed to turn up any matches. Then, in 2008, investigators extracted a DNA profile from the remains. But, police said, the DNA failed to lead to a match after it was entered it into a national database. In February 2017, police sent the sample to a Virginia company, Parabon NanoLabs, where a forensic artist, Thom Shaw, used the sample to create a sketch of the victim. The lab also mapped her potential family tree. In 2019, a police officer in Montgomery County, Maryland, Steven Smugeresky, took over the ancestry research and worked tirelessly to develop leads on the identity of the remains, police said. The New Castle County Police followed up on those leads and obtained DNA samples from possible relatives. Heiser said he got a call about two months ago from an investigator who asked him for a DNA sample and explained, “We think we might have found your mother’s remains.” “It was a shock to us,” he said. “You’re never expecting a phone call like that, ever.” A few weeks later, he said, police called him again to say the remains had been conclusively identified. “You’re thinking, ‘Well, as horrible as this story is, there’s some closure,’” he said. But the discovery has also raised more questions, he said, about who might have killed his mother. “Before, we wondered where our mother was,” he said. “Now, we’re wondering what happened to our mother. So one door closes, another opens.”

She vanished decades ago. Her children just learned she had been killed.

Humaira Mustapha made no effort to wipe away the tears rolling down her cheeks, as she spoke about her two kidnapped daughters.

"Whenever I think about my daughters I'm filled with indescribable grief," Mustapha told AFP.

Seated against the plastered mud wall of her bare sitting room, her tears left damp spots on her navy blue hijab (Islamic veil).

Hafsa and Aisha, 14 and 13 respectively, were among the 317 schoolgirls abducted by gunmen from their hostels in an all-girls boarding school in the Zamfara state's remote village of Jangebe.

"Whenever I serve food to their younger sister, tears keep flowing from my eyes because I keep thinking about the hunger and thirst they are going through," said the 30-year-old mother of three.

But she only serves her daughter.

"I can't eat since the abduction," she said.

"I'm appealing to the governor to do everything to rescue our daughters who are facing real danger to their lives," Mustapha added.

"As a mother, my anguish is crushing me."

- 'I hid under the bed' -

Villagers say more than 100 gunmen in military uniforms invaded the village early Friday morning.

They fired their weapons incessantly, challenging male residents to come out for a fight. No one dared.

Mukhtar Rabiu, another parent, said the gunmen then headed to the school's hostel for the sleeping students, forcing them to trek into the bush.

Rabiu's daughter Shamsiyya was one of around 50 schoolgirls who managed to escape.

"They came into the school around 1:00 am and went into dormitories hurling insults at us, calling on us to come out while firing into the air," she said told AFP from her home in the village.

"They wore military uniforms," the 13-year-old added.

"I hid under the bed until they were gone after mustering the students they could get hold of.

"Some of us hid inside toilets", she added, from behind a milk-coloured veil.

"Every time I think about my colleagues I feel depressed. I'm lonely and have been praying for their safe return" she added.

On the streets of the quiet village, residents carried on with their lives, suppressing their anxiety.

- Deserted school -

The school, located on the edge of the village, lies virtually deserted.

The only sounds are the birds in the trees scattered around the school compound, and the odd bleat from goats there.

The school's vice principal and a security guard manning the entrance are the only people still present.

Iron beds, footwear, mattresses, and abandoned clothing litter dormitories from where the schoolgirls were abducted.

Boxes, buckets full of water, and plastic kettles are scattered on the hostels' dusty floor.

Classroom chairs are empty, dozens of computers sit idle on desks and books gather dust on the shelves.

"It would have been better if my two daughters had died and I buried them -- knowing that Allah who gave them to me took them -- than having them taken away by bandits," said Abubakar Abdurrahman Zaki.

His two daughters were among those abducted.

This latest raid came a week after Zamfara state governor Bello Matawalle announced an amnesty for repentant bandits blamed for a string of abductions and for deadly raids on local villages.

"No one knows the condition of the girls, which worries everybody," said one local, Bello Gidan-Ruwa.

"The government said they are making efforts to rescue the girls but their efforts are not good enough until our girls are safely back," he added.

Humaira Mustapha made no effort to wipe away the tears rolling down her cheeks, as she spoke about her two kidnapped daughters. "Whenever I think about my daughters I'm filled with indescribable grief," Mustapha told AFP.

Humaira Mustapha made no effort to wipe away the tears rolling down her cheeks, as she spoke about her two kidnapped daughters. "Whenever I think about my daughters I'm filled with indescribable grief," Mustapha told AFP. Seated against the plastered mud wall of her bare sitting room, her tears left damp spots on her navy blue hijab (Islamic veil). Hafsa and Aisha, 14 and 13 respectively, were among the 317 schoolgirls abducted by gunmen from their hostels in an all-girls boarding school in the Zamfara state's remote village of Jangebe. "Whenever I serve food to their younger sister, tears keep flowing from my eyes because I keep thinking about the hunger and thirst they are going through," said the 30-year-old mother of three. But she only serves her daughter. "I can't eat since the abduction," she said. "I'm appealing to the governor to do everything to rescue our daughters who are facing real danger to their lives," Mustapha added. "As a mother, my anguish is crushing me." - 'I hid under the bed' - Villagers say more than 100 gunmen in military uniforms invaded the village early Friday morning. They fired their weapons incessantly, challenging male residents to come out for a fight. No one dared. Mukhtar Rabiu, another parent, said the gunmen then headed to the school's hostel for the sleeping students, forcing them to trek into the bush. Rabiu's daughter Shamsiyya was one of around 50 schoolgirls who managed to escape. "They came into the school around 1:00 am and went into dormitories hurling insults at us, calling on us to come out while firing into the air," she said told AFP from her home in the village. "They wore military uniforms," the 13-year-old added. "I hid under the bed until they were gone after mustering the students they could get hold of. "Some of us hid inside toilets", she added, from behind a milk-coloured veil. "Every time I think about my colleagues I feel depressed. I'm lonely and have been praying for their safe return" she added. On the streets of the quiet village, residents carried on with their lives, suppressing their anxiety. - Deserted school - The school, located on the edge of the village, lies virtually deserted. The only sounds are the birds in the trees scattered around the school compound, and the odd bleat from goats there. The school's vice principal and a security guard manning the entrance are the only people still present. Iron beds, footwear, mattresses, and abandoned clothing litter dormitories from where the schoolgirls were abducted. Boxes, buckets full of water, and plastic kettles are scattered on the hostels' dusty floor. Classroom chairs are empty, dozens of computers sit idle on desks and books gather dust on the shelves. "It would have been better if my two daughters had died and I buried them -- knowing that Allah who gave them to me took them -- than having them taken away by bandits," said Abubakar Abdurrahman Zaki. His two daughters were among those abducted. This latest raid came a week after Zamfara state governor Bello Matawalle announced an amnesty for repentant bandits blamed for a string of abductions and for deadly raids on local villages. "No one knows the condition of the girls, which worries everybody," said one local, Bello Gidan-Ruwa. "The government said they are making efforts to rescue the girls but their efforts are not good enough until our girls are safely back," he added.

Tears, anxiety as kidnapped schoolgirls remain captive in Nigeria

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