ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigeria suffered its second mass school abduction this week with authorities confirming an attack on a Catholic school in the conflict-battered northern region of the country on Friday.

It wasn't immediately confirmed who the attackers were or the number of students abducted at St. Mary’s School in Niger state's Papiri community. Local media broadcaster Arise TV said that 52 schoolchildren were seized, and local police said they have deployed a team to rescue the children.

Friday's attack happened four days after 25 students were abducted in neighboring Kebbi state.

School kidnappings have come to define insecurity in Africa’s most populous nation, and analysts say it's often because armed gangs see schools as “strategic” targets to draw more attention.

UNIC

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