FGC Yauri abduction: Why Kebbi chose not to negotiate with bandits


Four days after the abduction of some unspecified number of students of Federal Government College (FGC), Birnin Yauri, Kebbi state, the state government has refused to negotiate with the bandits, a decision that appears a departure from the past.

In what is fast becoming a norm as Nigeria battles its multifarious security challenges, government and private citizens were always quick to commence quick process of negotiating with the victims to possibly save them from their captors.

But taking a different path, Blueprint gathered that the state government was encouraged by the citizens not to go into any form of negotiation with the kidnappers.

Their effort, it was gathered, led to the gunning down of 82 of the criminals and rescue of some of their captives.

As at the time of this report, about 11 of the abductees had been rescued. While seven were rescued Friday, 4 regained their freedom Sunday courtesy of the troops, other security agencies and vigilantes.

Negotiation as no option

On why government ruled out negotiation with the bandits, a top government source said, the immediate response of Governor Atiku Bagudu and that of security agencies was what really thrilled the populace.

“For once, we saw something different since this madness by bandits hit our state. For the record, you and I know that Kebbi was about the most peaceful of the whole of North-west states.  But suddenly they chose to disrupt that peace like late last year and early this year.

“It is even worse when the hoodlums came on bikes to abduct the students last Thursday.  I must tell you that the sharp response by the security agents and that from the governor was what really inspired some level of confidence in the residents who continued to insist that government must not negotiate with the criminal elements.  

“I think this is the way to go. Our security agents deserve a lot of commendation in the handling of this.

“Is it not even encouraging that the bandits were mauled and hunted down by our gallant troops, the police and the vigilante group in the state? This is just the way to go. In shaa Allah (by God’s grace), banditry and other forms of criminality will soon come to an end in our dear nation. We have tolerated enough this trash. This is just the way to go to putting an end to the pampering of these hoodlums who have turned kidnapping and inflicting pains on fellow citizens to business,” said the source Sunday who spoke under anonymity.

Also speaking, a resident of Yauri who simply gave his name as Muhammadu said, “We are in support of government’s action because it did everything to forestall this by ensuring security agents were stationed in that school.

“Give it to them, the security agents are humans and not spirits, so they were overpowered. But the good thing is that they (security agents) didn’t stop at that. A hot chase on the heels of the criminals is leaving no room for negotiation. Yes, government has demonstrated it’s in charge and that is how it should be.”  

The position corroborates the various video clips on the social media showing the military dealing deadly blows on the bandits, following which some of their captives were rescued.

Although the authenticity of the clips could not be verified as at the time of this report, a former council chairman told Blueprint under anonymity that “the bandits got the worst of their life when soldiers, police and vigilante group caught up with them at Mokuku in Sakaba local government area of the state.”

It was independently gathered that not less than 82 of the hoodlums were gunned down by the security agents who overpowered the kidnappers in a gun duel over the weekend, even as they continued in the hot chase of the bandits.

Bagudu speaks

Inspired by the bravery demonstrated by the security agents and the level of cooperation from the locals, Governor Bagudu assured that efforts were being intensified by the state government to ensure the safe rescue of the abductees.

The governor spoke while addressing a mammoth crowd of vigilante groups who paid him a sympathy visit at the Government House Birnin Kebbi over the weekend.

Bagudu said he owed people of the state a responsibility by ensuring all the kidnapped persons returned safe to their families.

He said: “I am not voted into power to sit at the Government House and enjoy all the luxury of power and watch my people been maimed and killed, likewise every other elective office holder should and must be prepared to work assiduously towards safeguarding the lives and property of the citizenry.”

The visibly angry governor further said: “I am ready to make sacrifices physically to confront these men of the underworld. Enough is enough of this nonsense and heartless acts in the name of banditry.”

He commended the efforts of the Nigerian Army, Police and vigilante groups for their active involvement in the rescue operation leading to the release of some students and their teachers.

Vigilante leader assures

Speaking earlier, leader of the state chapter of the vigilantes, Alhaji Sani Zauro Hukuma hailed the governor for his timely response that ensured the ongoing joint rescue operation to comb the forest and rescue some students.

He assured that members of his group were always ready to lend their support in ridding the state of bandits and related criminals.

Also speaking to journalists, the governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yahaya Sarki said the governor had received much commendations from the people of Kebbi for his prompt action.

 “Upon receiving the news of the unfortunate abduction while in Abuja on official engagement, the governor had to cut it short and went straight to Birnin Yauri. The state government would do everything humanly possible to bring back these children and the staff back safely,” he also assured.

“Since this unfortunate incident occurred, all hands have been on deck to ensure our children and the staff are rescued alive, hale and hearty,” he said

Troops rescue 3 others

Meanwhile, troops of Operation Hadarin Daji, have rescued three more students of the Federal Government College Birnin Yawuri and one of the teachers.

The abductees were rescued at Makuku during search and rescue operations with one of the bandits killed.

According to a statement by the Director Army Public Relations Brigadier-General Onyema Nwachukwu, more troops had been deployed to the forests.

The statement reads: “Troops of the Nigerian Army operating under the auspices of Operation HADARIN DAJI supported by Nigerian Air Force component have rescued more abductees of the FGC Birnin Yawuri.

“One teacher and three students were rescued yesterday at Makuku, in the ongoing search and rescue operations. The troops also killed one bandit and recovered nine motorcycles and four handsets from the fleeing bandits.

“Additional troops have also been deployed to dominate the forest and deny the bandits freedom of action.

“Recall that two teachers and five students were earlier on Friday 18 June 2021 rescued by the gallant troops in a coordinated fire fight with the kidnappers.”

 15 Tegina abductees escape

Similarly, some 15 persons abducted alongside Tanko Salihu Islamiyya students in Tegina, Niger state have escaped from their captives.

While some of the abductees arrived the town Saturday night, others returned Sunday morning and afternoon and were already in various health facilities for adequate medical attention.

In their separate accounts, the captives said they regained their freedom when the guards keeping watch over them slept off and felt into slumber.

It was gathered that after the abduction, the victims were separated from the kids whose(kids) whereabouts they wouldn’t know.

It was further revealed that prior to their escape, the victims were locked down in Zamfara forests, following which government sent a reinforcement team to the forest to secure release of the other captives.

It was learnt those who escaped had been admitted in health facilities.

Blueprint further gathered that the captives were received a top official of Rafi local government council at Birnin Gwari.