Armed men abduct 8 in northern Nigeria state, residents say

Kidnapping for ransom is rife in northwest Nigeria where armed gangs, often referred to locally as bandits, have targeted schools, villages and travellers, making it unsafe to travel by road or to farm in some areas. Kaduna police spokesperson Mansur Hassan said the police are investigating the incident, which occurred late Tuesday in Chikum local government area of the state. Mohammed Danjuma, a resident who was spared, told Reuters about 16 people were taken but eight managed to get away.