Nigerian police and a local official said that a suspected criminal gang attacked the Government Girls Science Secondary School in Jangebe, a village in Zamfara state, kidnapping at least 300 schoolgirls.
Authorities declared ruling party candidate Mohamed Bazoum winner of the run-off election but his rival, former president Mahamane Ousmane, has alleged fraud and also claimed victory.
Opposition leader Mahamane Ousmane claims he narrowly won the country's presidential election, as fresh violence erupts in capital Niamey.
Niger experts have warned that elections could see violence as the country battles rising militant attacks where thousands of people have been killed and hundreds of thousands displaced despite the presence of regional and international troops.
Ruling party candidate Mohamed Bazoum is seen by many as the favourite after leading in the first round on December 27 with 39.3 percent of the vote. Polling stations opened at 0700 GMT and will close at 1800 GMT (8 am to 7pm) local time.
French President Emmanuel Macron has said military operations should keep focusing on the region bordering Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso in a summit with West African leaders.
Chad calls for international support to help Africa's beleaguered Sahel region as leaders of Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and France attend summit in Chadian capital N'Djamenaas to discuss future of their military operation.
Gunmen from gangs known for kidnapping and cattle rustling kill at least 19 people in Birnin Gwari and Kajuru villages in Kaduna state, officials say.
The victim's bodies were brought back from Mopti region to the airport in Sevare, near the town of Mopti, by a helicopter from the UN's MINUSMA peacekeeping force, while the injured were taken to hospital, local officials said.
Attacks were carried out in two villages close to Mali border, Niger's local media reports say.
Mohamed Bazoum will face former president Mahamane Ousmane, who won 17 percent of the vote, for the February 21 runoff in the West African country.
Some 7.4 million Nigeriens were registered to vote to elect legislators and the successor to President Mahamadou Issoufou.
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