Katsina shuts all public schools after mass abduction of students

The Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Masari, has ordered the immediate closure of all boarding secondary schools in the state following the abduction of many students by gunmen in Kankara Local Government Area.

The governor gave the directive while visiting the council area where gunmen abducted an unspecified number of students of the Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, on Friday.

“The situation goes beyond one’s thinking. It’s a sad moment for Katsina, I am assuring parents of the missing students we will do anything humanly possible to rescue the children, it’s our responsibility to protect lives and properties.

“As I am speaking to you now, the soldiers are in the bush engaging the militants in a fire fight, I plead with you to exercise patience, we will rescue the children and I also ordered for the closure of all schools to save the children,” the governor said.

The governor further assured that both governments at federal and state levels were doing their best to bring an end to banditry and other debilitating criminal activities in the state. He said the government is very firm in its resolve to be ruthless in any engagement with the militants.

PREMIUM TIMES had earlier reported how the gunmen attacked the Government school in Kankara and abducted many students.

Residents said the gunmen had earlier attacked Kankara town, injuring many residents but were later repelled by the security forces.

Residents said the militants, in large numbers, on motorbikes, invaded the school’s premises around 11: 00 p.m. Friday night, shooting to scare and kill.

They, thereafter, went away with many students.

The presidency has released the statement following the abduction of students from a secondary school in Katsina on Friday night.

Gunmen had on Friday attacked the Government Boys Science Secondary School in the Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State and abducted many students.

Residents and the police said the gunmen had earlier attacked Kankara town, injuring many residents but were later repelled by the security forces.

The militants, in large numbers, on motorbikes, invaded the school’s premises around 11: 00 p.m. Friday night, shooting to scare and kill.

The Katsina State Government has announced the closure of all public schools in response.

Mr Buhari, who is currently in Katsina on what the presidency calls a “private visit”, said “the military, supported by air power has located the bandits’ enclave at Zango/Paula forest in Kankara and there have been exchange of fire in an ongoing operation.”

President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday strongly condemned the bandits’ attack at the Government Science Secondary School, Kankara in Katsina State, charging the army and the police to go after the attackers to ensure that no student gets missing or harmed.

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