Militant Attacks on Schools in Nigeria Leave More Than 80 Children Missing

More than 80 children are missing after suspected militants attacked schools in Nigeria over the past week, local officials and Amnesty International said Sunday. The attackers targeted a primary school in Borno state between Wednesday and Thursday, abducting 42 children in the Askira Uba and Chibok areas.

Amnesty International said the attack occurred in the village of Mussa near Sambisa Forest, a stronghold of Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province. Two secondary schools in Oyo state were attacked hours apart on Friday, with at least 40 children abducted in the Oriire area, according to Amnesty International's Nigeria branch.

Peter Wabba, a government official from Mussa, said Sunday that authorities assured residents they are working to rescue the children. He told The Associated Press that residents are still waiting for results. Police spokesperson Ayanlade Olayinka told The Associated Press on Saturday that three gunmen were detained in connection with the Oyo attack after community members identified them.

Police did not say whether additional suspects are being sought.

International said authorities have not fulfilled promises to investigate past incidents or bring perpetrators to justice. The group added that victims and families continue to be denied access to justice. Abductions of schoolchildren are common in Nigeria, especially in the north. Last year, two mass abductions from schools in the northern region resulted in over 300 children taken.