Bandits escalate operations in Niger, kill one, kidnap 200 from Islamiyya school
Armed bandits have killed one person and kidnapped no fewer than 200 students of the Salihu Tanko Islamic school, Tegina, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State.
The State Police Command confirmed the development to Peoples Gazette in a statement on Sunday issued by its Spokesman, DSP Wasiu Abiodun.
In the statement, the police disclosed that the armed bandits invaded the town at about 3:00 p.m. on Sunday “shooting indiscriminately and abducted a yet to be ascertained number of children at Salihu Tanko Islamic school, Tegina. The bandits shot one person dead in the process.”
State governor Abubakar Sami Bello had weeks ago raised alarm about Boko Haram invasion of the state. The dreaded group hoisted its flag near Shiroro, the host community for Nigeria’s flagship hydropower station, while also taxing residents.
While appealing to residents to be calm, the police spokesman assured that “the Command has immediately mobilised all tactical teams including Operation Puff Adder 2 to the location for rescue of the victims,” promising the command along with other security agencies will “do everything humanly possible to ensure that the children are rescued unhurt.”
A resident in the area Zayyad Mohammed had earlier in the day told Channels TV that one other person was seriously injured following the bandits’ invasion of the area.
The broadcaster also pegged the number of abducted persons at 200.
Mr Mohammed disclosed that the school, built by an ex immigration officer, is a conventional school where parents take their children to get Islamic education.
The constant kidnapping in the state has become alarming as two kidnap cases were recorded in Suleja last week in the span of three days.
Peoples Gazette had on May 24 reported that hundreds of residents of Angwan-Wazobia in Gauraka area of Tafa LGA took to the streets to protest the incessant abductions in the area after unknown gunmen kidnapped some persons from their homes last Sunday.
The Gazette had also on May 23 reported how bandits invaded Rafin-Sanyin community, also in Suleja and whisked away no fewer than ten persons while beheading one other person.
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