Gunmen kidnap students heading to exams in Nigeria's Benue state

ABUJA, April 17 (Reuters) - ‌Gunmen abducted ​secondary ​school students heading to university entrance examinations and other travellers in central Nigeria's Benue state, ‌the region's governor said late on Thursday - ⁠the first reported student abduction this year.

Armed gangs and Islamist militants ‌frequently target travellers, schoolchildren ‌and rural communities in Nigeria. The authorities did not say who they thought was behind the ​latest abduction.

The attack occurred along the Makurdi–Otukpo road, Governor Hyacinth Alia said, describing it as a "cowardly ⁠act." He did not say how many people were taken but local ​media reported that 17 students were missing.

"The targeting of innocent citizens, particularly students on their ​way to sit for examinations, ‌is unacceptable and stands against every norm of humanity and civil order," Alia said ⁠in a statement.

Security agencies had launched search-and-rescue operations, with the governor directing that "no effort be spared" to locate ⁠the victims.

Mass kidnappings, despite repeated government pledges to prevent such incidents, ​continue to disrupt education, commerce, and travel, leaving frustrated residents questioning the authorities' effectiveness in addressing the threat.

U.S. President Donald ‌Trump has cited the insecurity to threaten military action over what he calls persecution ‌of Christians in Nigeria. The government, made up ⁠of Christians and Muslims, ‌says the insecurity ​affects people of both religions.

(Reporting by Camillus Eboh, writing by MacDonald Dzirutwe, Editing by Philippa ‌Fletcher)

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