Gunmen abducted four members of staff and their children from the University of Abuja on Tuesday, the university said, in a rare kidnapping at such a large institution in the Nigerian capital.

Gangs of armed men, known locally as bandits, late last year launched a series of abductions from schools and attacks on villages, mostly in the northwest of the country, in return for ransom.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gunmen-kill-18-worshippers-in-nigeria-mosque-attack-424180">Gunmen kill 18 worshippers in Nigeria mosque attack</a>

There have been kidnappings of individuals on the outskirts of Abuja, but attacks on universities are rare.

"Suspected bandits attacked the staff quarters of the university in the early hours of today. We have report that four of our staff and their children were, nevertheless, abducted," the university said on its Facebook page.

A source at the university told Reuters that one staff member was taken together with his son and daughter.

Watch |&nbsp;At least 4 people killed as under construction building collapses in Nigeria

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Nigeria's security forces are stretched on several fronts, including growing lawlessness in the north and northwest and a 12-year Islamist insurgency in the northeast that has killed thousands.

Gunmen abducted four members of staff and their children from the University of Abuja on Tuesday, the university said, in a rare kidnapping at such a large institution in the Nigerian capital.

Gunmen abducted four members of staff and their children from the University of Abuja on Tuesday, the university said, in a rare kidnapping at such a large institution in the Nigerian capital. Gangs of armed men, known locally as bandits, late last year launched a series of abductions from schools and attacks on villages, mostly in the northwest of the country, in return for ransom. Also Read | Gunmen kill 18 worshippers in Nigeria mosque attack There have been kidnappings of individuals on the outskirts of Abuja, but attacks on universities are rare. "Suspected bandits attacked the staff quarters of the university in the early hours of today. We have report that four of our staff and their children were, nevertheless, abducted," the university said on its Facebook page. A source at the university told Reuters that one staff member was taken together with his son and daughter. Watch | At least 4 people killed as under construction building collapses in Nigeria Nigeria's security forces are stretched on several fronts, including growing lawlessness in the north and northwest and a 12-year Islamist insurgency in the northeast that has killed thousands.

Gunmen abduct staff and children at university in Nigerian capital

Relatives of scores of schoolchildren kidnapped by gunmen from an Islamic seminary over the weekend have appealed to the government to help free them, after the latest mass abduction to target a Nigerian school.

Some 200 children were at the school in Tegina, central Niger state, when it was raided on Sunday, the local government said, without confirming the exact number abducted.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/150-children-kidnapped-after-islamic-school-ambushed-by-armed-bandits-in-nigeria-388484">150 children kidnapped after Islamic school ambushed by armed bandits in Nigeria</a>

Niger state police said attackers had arrived on motorbikes and started shooting indiscriminately, killing one resident and injuring another, before snatching the children from the Salihu Tanko Islamic school.

"My appeal to the government is that they should try to protect our people first and our children first," Sa'idu Umar, whose child was among those abducted, told AFP on Tuesday.

"We are hoping that they are going to try harder to bring back our children successfully."

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Mothers and other relatives crouched, weeping and waiting for the missing children outside the school.

The Tegina attack marked the latest mass kidnapping in central and northwest&nbsp;Nigeria, where armed criminal gangs often raid villages to loot, steal cattle and kidnap for ransom.

Nigerian state authorities have said they are negotiating to bring the children back safely, though said they refused to pay the ransom.

One school official said more than 100 children were taken though gunmen soon let a few go because they were "too small and couldn't walk".

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"The authorities have done well, but we want them to do more, because as we are here, all the security, both the civil defence, and the army, and the police, they are there with us since yesterday," said Muhammed Garba, another parent.

President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the security and intelligence forces to step up efforts to rescue the children.

Mass kidnappings in the northwest and central&nbsp;Nigeria&nbsp;are complicating challenges facing Buhari's security forces, who are also battling a more than decade-long jihadist insurgency in the northeast of the country.

Since December 2020, before the attack on Sunday, 730 children and students had been kidnapped.

Gangs often target schools in remote areas, where pupils live in dormitories with little security protection, before taking their victims deep into nearby forests to negotiate.

Relatives of scores of schoolchildren kidnapped by gunmen from an Islamic seminary over the weekend have appealed to the government to help free them, after the latest mass abduction to target a Nigerian school.

Relatives of scores of schoolchildren kidnapped by gunmen from an Islamic seminary over the weekend have appealed to the government to help free them, after the latest mass abduction to target a Nigerian school. Some 200 children were at the school in Tegina, central Niger state, when it was raided on Sunday, the local government said, without confirming the exact number abducted. Also Read | 150 children kidnapped after Islamic school ambushed by armed bandits in Nigeria Niger state police said attackers had arrived on motorbikes and started shooting indiscriminately, killing one resident and injuring another, before snatching the children from the Salihu Tanko Islamic school. "My appeal to the government is that they should try to protect our people first and our children first," Sa'idu Umar, whose child was among those abducted, told AFP on Tuesday. "We are hoping that they are going to try harder to bring back our children successfully." Mothers and other relatives crouched, weeping and waiting for the missing children outside the school. The Tegina attack marked the latest mass kidnapping in central and northwest Nigeria, where armed criminal gangs often raid villages to loot, steal cattle and kidnap for ransom. Nigerian state authorities have said they are negotiating to bring the children back safely, though said they refused to pay the ransom. One school official said more than 100 children were taken though gunmen soon let a few go because they were "too small and couldn't walk". "The authorities have done well, but we want them to do more, because as we are here, all the security, both the civil defence, and the army, and the police, they are there with us since yesterday," said Muhammed Garba, another parent. President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the security and intelligence forces to step up efforts to rescue the children. Mass kidnappings in the northwest and central Nigeria are complicating challenges facing Buhari's security forces, who are also battling a more than decade-long jihadist insurgency in the northeast of the country. Since December 2020, before the attack on Sunday, 730 children and students had been kidnapped. Gangs often target schools in remote areas, where pupils live in dormitories with little security protection, before taking their victims deep into nearby forests to negotiate.

Nigeria schoolkids kidnapping: Families appeal for aid, authorities refuse to pay ransom

One person was killed and some others injured when unknown gunmen&nbsp;abducted about 150 children of an Islamic school in Nigeria's Niger state.

The Salihu Tanko Islamic School is located at Tegina in the Rafi Local Government Area of the north-central Nigerian state of Niger. 
 
Watch:&nbsp;

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According to sources, the kidnapping was carried out at 4:30 pm (local time) on Sunday. 
 
The state police spokesman Wasiu Abiodun said the armed bandits came in motorcycles and were firing 'indiscriminately'.

Security teams have been mobilised to rescue the schoolkids and the police will "ensure the children are rescued unhurt", he said.

Armed bandit groups have been behind a spate of kidnappings for ransom raids on colleges and educational institutions in northern Nigeria in recent months, abducting over 700 young people since December.&nbsp; 
 
Watch:&nbsp;Nigeria's growing kidnapping industry, which killed hundreds&nbsp;

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According to human rights groups, Nigerian security authorities have failed to create a strategy to protect its school children and college students and their access to study even after the seven years of the most infamous 'Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping', when the 279 girls from a government school in northern Nigeria were abducted by the Boko Haram terrorists. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kidnappers-release-all-279-nigerian-students-after-talks-with-government-367318">Also read: Kidnappers release all 279 Nigerian students after talks with the government</a>

On April 14, 2014, the militant group Boko Haram kidnapped the 279 schoolgirls in Chibok, a town in Borno state. Most of them were able to flee or were eventually released.

In recent years in Nigeria, criminal bandit groups seeking a huge amount of ransom have increased their assault and mass abductions, frequently targeting boarding schools outside of towns and cities.

One person was killed and some others injured when unknown gunmen abducted about 150 children of an Islamic school in Nigeria's Niger state. The Salihu Tanko Islamic School is located at Tegina in the Rafi Local Government Area of the north-central Nigerian state of Niger.

One person was killed and some others injured when unknown gunmen abducted about 150 children of an Islamic school in Nigeria's Niger state. The Salihu Tanko Islamic School is located at Tegina in the Rafi Local Government Area of the north-central Nigerian state of Niger. Watch: According to sources, the kidnapping was carried out at 4:30 pm (local time) on Sunday. The state police spokesman Wasiu Abiodun said the armed bandits came in motorcycles and were firing 'indiscriminately'. Security teams have been mobilised to rescue the schoolkids and the police will "ensure the children are rescued unhurt", he said. Armed bandit groups have been behind a spate of kidnappings for ransom raids on colleges and educational institutions in northern Nigeria in recent months, abducting over 700 young people since December. Watch: Nigeria's growing kidnapping industry, which killed hundreds According to human rights groups, Nigerian security authorities have failed to create a strategy to protect its school children and college students and their access to study even after the seven years of the most infamous 'Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping', when the 279 girls from a government school in northern Nigeria were abducted by the Boko Haram terrorists. Also read: Kidnappers release all 279 Nigerian students after talks with the government On April 14, 2014, the militant group Boko Haram kidnapped the 279 schoolgirls in Chibok, a town in Borno state. Most of them were able to flee or were eventually released. In recent years in Nigeria, criminal bandit groups seeking a huge amount of ransom have increased their assault and mass abductions, frequently targeting boarding schools outside of towns and cities.

150 children kidnapped after Islamic school ambushed by armed bandits in Nigeria

A video emerged from&nbsp;Nigeria showing college students that were kidnapped being prodded by the abductors while the students beg for their lives. The video, which first popped up on March 13 showed girls cowering on the floor in a forest, while armed abductors hit them with sticks.

On Thursday night, gunmen stormed the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation in the Kaduna state, which lies in the northern Nigeria.&nbsp;In the aftermath, at least 39 students continue to remain missing, marking the fourth such abduction in the northern part of the country since December 2020.

In the footage, which has been circulated across social media, students could be asking for help in both English and Hausa. One of them could be heard saying that the captors are looking for a ransom worth $1.31 million (500 million Naira).

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/nigeria-jihadists-ambush-military-convoy-19-troops-dead-security-sources-370322" hreflang="en">Nigeria jihadists ambush military convoy, 19 troops dead: security sources</a>

"Anybody that comes from anywhere to come and rescue us, or do anything by force, they are going to take our lives," a male student could be heard saying in the clip, while an armed man stood&nbsp;behind him.

The College Provost Bello Mohammed Usman, along with the mother of one of the kidnapped students identified many shown in the clip as students who were abducted. This includes a pregnant women.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/nigeria-jihadist-ambush-kills-19-troops-says-report-370263" hreflang="en">Nigeria: Jihadist ambush kills 19 troops, says report</a>

According to reports, the armed group broke into school located in the outskirts of Kaduna near a military academy at 11.30 pm local time on Thursday.

Security measures have been amped up. 180 students and staff members who were staying at the school have now been rescued and moved to a different location.

A video emerged from Nigeria showing college students that were kidnapped being prodded by the abductors while the students beg for their lives. The video, which first popped up on March 13 showed girls cowering on the floor in a forest, while armed abductors hit them with sticks.

A video emerged from Nigeria showing college students that were kidnapped being prodded by the abductors while the students beg for their lives. The video, which first popped up on March 13 showed girls cowering on the floor in a forest, while armed abductors hit them with sticks. On Thursday night, gunmen stormed the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation in the Kaduna state, which lies in the northern Nigeria. In the aftermath, at least 39 students continue to remain missing, marking the fourth such abduction in the northern part of the country since December 2020. In the footage, which has been circulated across social media, students could be asking for help in both English and Hausa. One of them could be heard saying that the captors are looking for a ransom worth $1.31 million (500 million Naira). Also read: Nigeria jihadists ambush military convoy, 19 troops dead: security sources "Anybody that comes from anywhere to come and rescue us, or do anything by force, they are going to take our lives," a male student could be heard saying in the clip, while an armed man stood behind him. The College Provost Bello Mohammed Usman, along with the mother of one of the kidnapped students identified many shown in the clip as students who were abducted. This includes a pregnant women. Also read: Nigeria: Jihadist ambush kills 19 troops, says report According to reports, the armed group broke into school located in the outskirts of Kaduna near a military academy at 11.30 pm local time on Thursday. Security measures have been amped up. 180 students and staff members who were staying at the school have now been rescued and moved to a different location.

Watch: Nigerian students kidnapped by gunmen beg for their lives