Bandits invade Zamfara girls college, abduct 300 students
Armed bandits have invaded a girls’ school in Zamfara, abducting at least three hundred students.
The BBC reported on Friday morning that the mass abduction occurred overnight, saying parents of some of the students have confirmed the development.
The BBC reported the school as Government Girls’ Secondary School in Jangebe.
The abduction came barely a few weeks after hundreds of schoolboys were abducted in Katsina by bandits, drawing nationwide uproar.
Nine days ago, bandits breached a high school in Niger State and seized about 29 students and school administrators. National security sources informed Peoples Gazette that the federal government paid $2.099 million (N800 million) as ransom, but the students and their teachers were not released after Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello caught wind of the arrangement and instigated a cordoning of the vast forest where the students and their abductors have been held up.
A spokesman for the police in Zamfara did not immediately return a request seeking comments from the Gazette about today’s abduction of schoolgirls.
Zamfara security and internal affairs commissioner Abubakar Dauran confirmed the incident, saying efforts to rescue the students had commenced.
“At this moment, l cannot say how many students were taken away by the gunmen until l get there, but we have already mobilized security men and members of the vigilantatè who are now in pursuit of the abductors,” Mr. Dauran said as reported by News Agency of Nigeria.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Africa
Jonathan hails Sierra Leone’s decision on ex-president Koroma
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has commended the Sierra Leone government’s decision to discontinue criminal proceedings against its former president, Ernest Koroma.
States
Benue govt, foundation partner to improve agriculture, boost food security
The Benue government pledged to strengthen its partnership with the Teryima and Msurshima Foundation to expand the distribution of improved foundation seed.
Politics
Borno youths mobilise thousands for Tinubu, Shettima’s re-election
Youths in Borno have mobilised thousands to canvass grassroots support for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima.
Economy
Labcorp agrees to pay $14 million to resolve false claims allegations
Laboratory Corporation of America (Labcorp), a national clinical diagnostics company, has agreed to pay $14,500,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act.
Economy
Redi-Bag USA, CEO to pay $7 million over evaded customs duties allegation
Redi-Bag USA and Mr Rabiea allegedly misrepresented on customs entry forms that the country of origin of the PRCBs was Hong Kong, thus evading anti-dumping duties.
States
ADC mourns Amaechi’s mother
The African Democratic Congress expressed condolences to its vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, following the death of his mother, Mary Amaechi.
