India, Nov. 22 -- Armed bandits attacked a private Catholic school in Nigeria's north-central Niger State on Friday, abducting 215 students and 12 teachers, according to local media reports.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) confirmed the figures, with its Niger State chairman, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, visiting the school and meeting families of the victims.

In response to rising school abductions, the Federal Government has ordered the closure of 41 unity schools, while state governments in Kwara, Plateau, Niger, Benue and Katsina have also shut down institutions, Punch reported.

It follows the abduction of 26 schoolgirls from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State earlier in the week.

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