Abuja/UNI: A minimum of 35 individuals, including both university students and staff members, were kidnapped by an unidentified gunman in Nigeria's northwestern state of Zamfara, on Friday.

Mugira Yusuf, spokesperson for Zamfara State governor said that 24 students, 10 workers, and a security guard of the Federal University Gusau were taken hostage by the gunmen who attacked some hostels in the Sabon-Gida area of the state, told Xinhua by telephone.

"The security forces have launched a search for the victims, as well as making efforts to arrest the attackers," said Yusuf.

Local police have yet to issue an official statement on the incident.

Nigeria's northwestern region has been plagued by banditry, kidnappings, and other criminal activities in recent years.