The 27 students of Government Science College Kagara, Niger state, abducted Wednesday have been released, Blueprint has reliably gathered.
Although details of the release were yet to be made public as at the time of this report, Blueprint gathered they were on their way back to Government House Minna at about 8.40pm Sunday.
The students were abducted Wednesday at about 3.00am during which one of them, Benjamin Habila was shot dead by the hoodlums.
However, there is no official statement on the release of the boys, staff and families except the earlier assurance Sunday afternoon that efforts to get them released had been intensified.
And in a related development, all the 39 passengers on board the Niger State Transport Authority (NSTA) bus recently abducted along Kontagora-Zungeru road by armed bandits have also been released.
The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Alhaji Muhammad Sani Idris, disclosed this Sunday in a telephone interview with journalists in Minna, the state capital.
Idris said they were released unharmed and would be reunited with their respective families any moment from now.
And ahead of the release of the Kagara students, Idris hinted of their freedom and assured parents and relations of the victims to remain calm, saying “Niger State government is on top of the situation.”
Kaduna
However, reports from Kaduna indicated that bandits have continued to intensify their dastardly act in the state, as they killed two people and kidnapped nine others including two infants Saturday night in Baka village, Igabi local government area.
But troops in nearby Sabon Birni were alerted and engaged the bandits, and in the process rescued 14 of the victims.
Also, another set of bandits attacked Kikwari village in Kajuru local government area where they razed the Holy Family Catholic Church, and two houses.
Nobody was however killed or kidnapped as residents abandoned the village upon sighting the gunmen.
Kaduna state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs Samuel Aruwan said in a statement Sunday that security agencies would intensify patrol in the affected areas.
He said: “Security agencies have reported that armed bandits on Saturday night invaded Baka village, Igabi local government area. The bandits attacked the family residence of the late Dan’azumi Musa – himself killed alongside his son by bandits – a week earlier.
“In the latest attack, a brother to the deceased, one Sale Musa and his son Amiru Sale Musa, were shot dead. The bandits, operating in groups, also abducted a number of persons, mostly women and children.
“Troops based in the Sabon Birni general area were mobilized to the location. They engaged the bandits and rescued some captives from one of the bandit groups, while another group had earlier escaped with another set of hostages.
“The rescued are listed as: Aisha Isah, Halima Isah, Hannatu Umar, Hassana Umar, Hadiza Isah, Fadilah Bashir, Zaharau Isah, Maryam Bashir, Mikah Zakari, Yunusa Isah, Karima Umar, Kadija Umar, Rukaiyah Isah and Sumaiya Bashiru.
“The following were kidnapped: Saudatu Garba, Laraba Idris, Auta Mansur, Ibrahim Danlami, Hauwa Sale, Fatima Idris, Safara Sale, Shafaatu Idris (infant) and Fiddausi Mansur (infant).
“Governor Nasir el-Rufai conveyed his grief over the repeat attack, and condoled the family of the slain father and son, while offering prayers for the repose of their souls. The Governor also commended the troops for their quick response and thanked them for the safe rescue of 13 victims.”
The statement similarly said “security agencies have reported that armed bandits razed the building of the Holy Family Catholic Church, and two homes, in Kikwari village, Kajuru local government area.
“According to the report received, the locals fled the area on receiving information that some bandits were sighted outside the village. On getting to the location, the armed bandits set ablaze the place of worship and the two houses.
“Receiving the report, Governor el-Rufai commiserated with the community, and condemned the setting ablaze of the place of worship and two houses by armed bandits. The Governor empathized with the church and assured them that the government under his watch would continue to work hard in the fight against banditry and other crimes.
“He charged worshippers to remain strong in their faith and devotion, and see it as an act perpetrated by enemies of peace, humanity and diversity who will not succeed but will be defeated by the grace of God.
“The Governor has directed the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency to urgently assess the damage done and take appropriate action. Security agencies will sustain patrols in the area.”
