Despite government warnings and threats of crackdowns, bandits struck again, abducting 15 students from an Islamiya school in Sokoto State early on Saturday. This incident follows closely on the heels of Thursday’s abduction of 287 schoolchildren in Kaduna State and the kidnapping of over 200 Internally Displaced Persons from a camp in Borno State on Wednesday.
In response to these distressing events, President Bola Tinubu has directed security agencies to ensure the immediate rescue of all abducted individuals.
Confirming the latest abduction, the Sokoto State Police Command’s spokesman, ASP Ahmed Rufai, reported that suspected bandits invaded the Gada Local Government Area around midnight, seizing the students and a local resident.
Efforts are underway for their rescue, with the state Commissioner of Police mandating a joint operation between local authorities and a special team from the state capital.
Mallam Liman Abubakar, the school’s proprietor, expressed concern over the situation, stating that 15 students are currently unaccounted for, with efforts ongoing to locate them.
Residents of the affected community described the attack as grave, recounting the bandits’ violence, which resulted in the loss of life and the abduction of the students.
Member of the state House of Assembly, Kabiru Dauda, received the distress call in the early hours of the morning and immediately alerted local government authorities and security agencies.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has condemned the abductions in Borno and Kaduna States, labeling them as unacceptable and antithetical to the nation’s core values. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, assured swift action to ensure the safe return of all abducted persons and the arrest of the perpetrators.
Vice-President Senator Kashim Shettima, representing President Tinubu, conveyed the President’s directive to security agencies to spare no effort in rescuing the abducted children. He urged media restraint in reporting on the situation to safeguard the children’s security.
Governor Uba Sani echoed the call for cautious reporting and emphasized the state government’s commitment to ensuring the safe return of the abducted children.
In a related development, the Kaduna State Government refuted claims of hiring a private negotiator to secure the children’s release, emphasizing its policy of non-negotiation with criminal elements.
In Sokoto State, Governor Ahmed Sokoto launched the Sokoto State Community Guards Corps, charging them with the responsibility of ensuring community safety. The initiative aims to complement existing security measures and address the root causes of insecurity.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Saad Abubakar, stressed the importance of collective efforts in combating insecurity, pledging traditional leaders’ support in restoring peace.
The Chairman of the North-West Governors’ Forum and Governor of Katsina State, Dr. Dikko Rada, emphasized regional cooperation in tackling insecurity, reaffirming the commitment of northern governors to jointly address the menace.