As many await the rescue of 39 students of Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka Kaduna who are still in captivity, bandits in the early hours of Sunday stormed Government Science Secondary School, Ikara, Ikara local government, Kaduna state to kidnap the students.
Bandits in a related development attempted to attack a senior staff quarters around the Kaduna International Airport, but were also repelled.
Kaduna state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan, said security forces foiled the two attacks in Ikara and at the airport thereby preventing the bandits freedom of action.
He told journalists in Kaduna on Sunday in reaction to the incident that all the 307 students of the secondary school were verified safe and present following a head count after the botched kidnap attack.
“Between the late hours of Saturday night and the early hours of today (Sunday), suspected bandits stormed the Government Science Secondary School, Ikara, Ikara local government area, in an attempt to kidnap students.
“Fortunately, the students utilised the security warning system in place, and were thus able to alert security forces in the area. The security forces comprising the troops of the Nigerian Army, Police and some security volunteers moved swiftly to the school and engaged the bandits, forcing them to flee. The military and police are still on the trail of the armed bandits.
“Following a head count by the school management, the Kaduna state government can confirm to you that all 307 students have been verified safe and present. The attempted kidnap was foiled completely and no student was taken from the school. Images provided by the Nigerian Army can attest to this, and will be shared with you,” he said.
Speaking on another attack on the Kaduna International Airport staff quarters, Aruwan said, “around Ifira village in Igabi local government area, bandits attempted to attack a senior staff quarters around the Kaduna Airport general area. This attempt was also foiled as troops of the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Army engaged and repelled them, with several escaping with gunshot wounds.
“The Kaduna state government acknowledges the efforts of the security agencies in the recent rescue of 180 students in the vicinity of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka. These efforts have been mentioned in interviews given by some of the rescued students.
“Kaduna state government extends its unequivocal solidarity to the Military, Police, Department of State Services and other security agencies, whose swift intervention prevented the bandits from abducting more persons.
“The Kaduna state government maintains a clear focus at this time, and that is to ensure the safe return of the missing students, and to consolidate intelligence gathering and security vigilance towards forestalling possible attempts on other facilities or institutions. As a government, our focus is on getting back our missing students and preventing further episodes of school abductions. We will continue to provide updates.”
