-The Daily Crucible
Katsina state governor, Aminu Bello Masari, has lamented the invasion of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina state, by bandits, saying the state government is still searching for 333 Students out of a student population of 839.
Motorcycle - riding bandits in their scores had on Friday night stormed Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, attacked the hostels where they allegedly captured hundreds of school boys and herded them away unchallenged.
Unofficial source initially put the number of students missing or taken away from the school after the raid at 6OO.
The school boasts of over 8OO students but two - third of that figure were believed to have been kidnapped when their dormitories came under attack in a manner reminiscent of the Chibok school girls, where over 2OO of them were abducted by a terrorist group, Boko haram sect, in 2014.
In the last five years or more, bandits have carried out savage attacks in Rann, Karewa, Sabon Birni, Dan Amuwa, Dutsin Gari, Zabarmari, Kadisau, Jibia, Sanyinna, Birnin Gwari, Zaria, Batsari, Maru, Zurmi communities - all in the north, abducting hundreds and killing scores of others.
President Muhammadu Buhari who left Asokoro, Abuja, the seat of power on Friday for Daura, his hometown in Katsina state for a weeklong visit, had given the army and police a marching order to go after the bandits, search and rescue the missing Katsina school students unscathed.
But speaking on Sunday while receiving a Federal Government delegation led by the Minister for Defense, General Bashir Magashi (Rtd.), on a sympathy visit, Masari said the state government in collaboration with security agencies is presently combing the area in search of the missing number of students.
’’We are still searching to ascertain the exact number of kidnapped students as well as those missing, as a government, no group or association have contacted us or made any claims till date,’’ he said.
Earlier, the leader of the Federal Government delegation told the Governor that they were on a sympathy visit and assured that the armed forces have resolved to decisive action and ensure speedy rescue of the students.
He said: ’’the conclusion by the armed forces is that these hoodlums should be declared terrorists. We have been adequately briefed by security agencies on the ground and we are rearing to go.
‘’Within the next few days, we will ensure the students are back without collateral damages.
‘’All hands are on deck to ensure that this rescue move is given the greatest priority it deserves.’’
The FG Delegation also includes Service Chiefs, Inspector General of Police, DG State security Service, and that of National Intelligence Agency, NIA, and the National Security Adviser.
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