Niger school abduction: Buhari dispatches military, police to rescue victims

President Muhammadu Buhari has dispatched the military and police to Niger State for the rescue of the victims abducted at Government Science Secondary School, Kagara.

In a statement Garba Shehu, his spokesman, issued on his behalf, the president demanded that the victims should be rescued immediately.

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The security officials are to coordinate the rescue operation and meet with state officials, community leaders, as well as parents and staff of the College.

“Following these reports, the President has directed the Armed Forces and Police, to ensure immediate and safe return of all the captives.

“The President has also dispatched to Minna, Niger State a team of security chiefs to coordinate the rescue operation and meet with state officials, community leaders, as well as parents and staff of the College.

“President Buhari has assured of the support of his administration to the Armed Forces in their brave struggle against terrorism and banditry and urged them to do all that can be done to bring an end to this saga, and avoid such cowardly attacks on schools in the future.

“’Our prayers are with families of the victims of this attack,” said the President as he condemned as cowardly the attack on innocent school children.”

Invading quarters and hostels

A witness had narrated how the gunmen broke into the staff quarters of the school before raiding hostels.

Speaking with Daily Trust, the witness said the gunmen gathered some staff and students at a place for hours before moving them out of the school premises.

The armed men reportedly dressed in military uniform, were said to have overpowered the security guards at the school.

Some students were said to have escaped while being led to an unknown destination.

A headcount is being conducted at the school to ascertain the actual number of missing students.

Daily Trust learnt that security agencies are currently on the trail of the armed men.

An aircraft of the Nigerian Air Force has been hovering in the air to track the location of the students.

Meanwhile, one of the abducted staff, simply identified as Batagi, was said to have escaped from his captors.

Some of those who are still in captivity were identified as Lawal, Ali, Hannatu and her husband, Dodo, and Mohammed Abubakar(Akawu).

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, did not pick his call or respond to a text message sent to him as of the time this report was filed.