Gunmen suspected to be bandits have abducted eight pupils of an Islamic school at Sakkai community in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The gunmen also abducted a teacher of the Islamic school and whisked them away ostensibly to a dreaded forest in the area.

The victims were abducted Tuesday evening while conducting an evening lesson on the school premises.

Victims’ family members were yet to be contacted by their abductors at the time of filing this report but sources said they would soon be contacted, saying it is the mode of operation by kidnappers.

Like several councils in the state located close to an expanse of forest reserve, Faskari has for years been bedeviled by a spate of security challenges.

The challenges are brought about by activities of bandits, rustlers, and kidnappers who attack hapless communities to perpetuate their nefarious activities.

Hundreds of people have lost their lives due to the security situation in the council and other affected areas, with hundreds more abducted for ransom.

The abductions are in addition to scores of domestic animals rustled, with several communities razed down by unknown gunmen.

Katsina State police spokesperson Gambo Isah is yet to respond to our correspondent’s inquiry on the recent attack.