Lagos , Nigeria -- Nigeria 's president ordered security forces Tuesday to step up their search for 15 children kidnapped in the country 's southeastern region when gunmen hijacked a school bus . President Goodluck Jonathan condemned the `` utterly callous and cruel kidnapping '' of 15 nursery and primary school pupils on Monday . A statement from the president 's office said the Nigerian leader order the Inspector-General of Police and heads of other security agencies `` to take all necessary steps to rescue the abducted children and return them safely to their parents . '' The incident occurred near Aba , the capital of Abia state . Kidnapping has been rampant in the region for years . In this case , the abductors are asking for a ransom of 20 million naira , or nearly $ 130,000 . Police do n't know the whereabouts of the children , and they wo n't confirm their nationalities and identities . Geofrey Ogbonna , the state 's police spokesman , said four gunmen boarded a bus headed to Apayi International School in Aba and took the children away . The bus driver and the school teacher who were on board are in police custody and helping law enforcement efforts . Jonathan urged the children 's parents and relatives `` to remain calm '' and assured them that the government `` will do everything possible to apprehend the kidnappers and bring closure to these ugly incidents as soon as possible . '' Militants in the southern oil-producing region , who have been fighting for years over fairer distribution of the country 's oil wealth , have abducted oil workers , and people engaged in criminal activity have snatched up citizens to get ransom money . Kidnappings and rape in Abia state are common and have become more frequent in recent years . They include vehicle hijackings and even people being snatched off the street . The motive is usually money . Some people travel with security -- if they can afford it . As foreign oil workers improved their personal security , the kidnappers have increasingly targeted Nigerians .
The incident occurred in Abia state . Kidnapping has been rampant there for years . NEW : Boko Haram is a terrorist organization that kidnaps and kills people, especially women and children.