Nigeria, Nov. 22 -- The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State, Bulus Yohanna, has said that over 200 students and teachers were kidnapped when gunmen attacked a Catholic school in the state.

Mr Yohanna, who said he has visited the school, stated this in a statement late Friday.

"From our record, 215 pupils and students including 12 teachers were abducted by the terrorists," Mr Yohanna said in a statement quoted by Reuters.

PREMIUM TIMES reported the Friday morning attack on St Mary's Catholic Secondary School in Niger State, north-central Nigeria, with locals saying over 50 students were kidnapped.

The police confirmed the attack but have not announced the number of people kidnapped.

The police spokesp...