More than 35 students from Nigeria’s Federal University, Gusau were abducted on Friday by armed robbers, of whom the majority were females.

According to Zamfara Police spokesperson Yazid Abubakar, the students were taken hostage when the gunmen broke into their accommodation near the Federal University Gusau in Zamfara state’s Bungudu district.

According to eyewitnesses, the bandits first opened fire on the neighborhood around the college before making their way inside the institution, where they targeted three dorms and abducted the students.

Before making their getaway, they reportedly engaged in a gunfight with Nigerian army personnel.

They allegedly divided into two groups; one engaged in combat with the military, and the other made off with the students.

Authorities in Nigeria have subsequently been activated to hunt down the aforementioned attackers, who frequently demand money after snatching pupils.

According to reports, six students were saved.