President Muhammadu Buhari has deployed security chiefs in Niger to coordinate the rescue operation of the students and teachers of Government Science College, Kagara, Rafi Local Government Area kidnapped by gunmen on Tuesday.

According to Mr. Buhari’s media aide, Garba Shehu, the president directed the security forces to ensure that the captives are immediately and safely rescued.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has received reports of the brazen attack on Government Science College, Kagara, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, following which a yet to be ascertained number of staff and students have been abducted by gunmen,” Mr. Shehu explained in a statement issued on behalf of the president. 

The statement added, “Following these reports, the President has directed the Armed Forces and Police, to ensure immediate and safe return of all the captives.”

“The President has also dispatched to Minna, Niger State a team of security chiefs to coordinate the rescue operation and meet with state officials, community leaders, as well as parents and staff of the college.

“President Buhari has assured of the support of his administration to the Armed Forces in their brave struggle against terrorism and banditry and urged them to do all that can be done to bring an end to this saga, and avoid such cowardly attacks on schools in the future.”

Peoples Gazette earlier reported that bandits attacked a government college in Niger kidnapping many students.

Details of the abduction remain sketchy as the number of missing persons has not been ascertained.

This is not the first time schoolchildren would be abducted in Nigeria, a country grappling with worsening insecurity. In 2014, under former President Goodluck Jonathan, about 300 schoolgirls were kidnapped from their hostels.

Under President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime, terrorists, bandits, and killer herdsmen have had a field day. In 2018, about 100 schoolgirls were kidnapped in Dapchi, Yobe. One of them, Leah Sharibu (a Christian), has yet to be rescued.

In December 2020, the Jihadist group, Boko Haram, claimed responsibility for the abduction of many schoolboys from Government Science Secondary School, Kankara in Katsina.