Rebels Reportedly Seize Dozens of Schoolboys

Hutu rebels raided three schools in eastern Burundi and abducted 80 teenage boys, a government official said.

The rebels took four teachers and students ages 13 to 15 from schools outside Ruyigi town, said Issac Bujaba, governor of Ruyigi province, who added that the guerrillas wanted the boys to become fighters.

No one was injured in the raids about 50 miles east of the capital, Bujumbura, but the rebels threatened to shoot the boys if they ran away, Bujaba said.

Army spokesman Col. Augustin Nzabampema confirmed the raids but said 56 students and four teachers were abducted. He also said some of the captives had escaped.