Boko Haram Claims Abducting Hundreds of School Students in Nigeria

Abu Bakr Al-Shakawi, the leader of the extremist group Boko Haram, claimed responsibility for the abduction of hundreds of school students in northwest Nigeria, in a voice message published Tuesday morning.

"I am Abubakar Shekau and our brothers are behind the kidnapping in Katsina," the leader of the extremist group Boko Haram said.

At least 333 teenagers are still missing since the attack on their Secondary school in Katsina state in northwestern Nigeria.

More than 100 gunmen on motorcycles attacked the school in Kankara town on Friday, forcing students to flee and hide in the surrounding bush.

The attack was initially blamed on armed groups locally known as "bandits", who are active in the unstable region where kidnappings for ransom are common.