Residents took to the streets in Katsina on Sunday to protest the invasion and abduction of an undetermined number of students from Government Science Secondary School, Kankara on Friday.
They are demanding the boys be promptly rescued.
The protest was led by a woman who identified herself as one of the mothers of the abducted students.
The protesters went around the school’s premises and some parts of the town with placards conveying various messages, among which are ‘Government must speak out’, ‘We want our children back’ and ‘We want security in Kankara’.
The protesters also chanted songs seeking the rescue of the abducted students.
A number of students have been reported missing after gunmen riding into the community on 150 motorcycles invaded the school.
On Saturday, presidential spokesman Garba Shehu said security updates indicated the military, with air support, had located the enclave of the bandits in Kankara and there had been exchange of fire.
The presidency told the military to go after the bandits.
President Muhammadu Buhari is in Katsina for a weeklong visit.
Several attacks have hit Katsina in the 24 hours before and after his arrival to spend time in his home town of Daura.
Civil society organisations have called for prompt rescue of the boys to stop it from becoming another scenario of Chibok and Dapchi, two other abductions of students from their school.
The Coalition of Northern Groups has previously accused the Buhari administration of failing to secure lives and property of Nigerians.
It threatened to mobilise students and youths to protest in Katsina state if the boys are not rescued on time.
“Failure of the government to rescue the missing students within the shortest period of time, CNG will not hesitate to mobilize hundreds of thousands on the streets of Katsina state for a continuous protest, until the students are fully rescued, even if it’s going to cost our lives,” said chairman of the northwest zone of the group, Jamiu Aliyu, told a press conference in Katsina.
Join Daily Trust WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You.
