In a similar fashion to Chibok and Dapchi, armed gunmen on Friday night invaded Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State and abducted many students.
The gunmen suspected to be bandits reportedly arrived in the vicinity in large numbers riding on motorcycles.
They then rode into the school around 11:30 pm after abducting some people at Kankara town.
Some of the students were said to have scampered into the bush to avoid being captured.
Parents were said to still be searching for their children as of Saturday morning.
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While initial reports had it that as many as 600 students might have been kidnapped, information reaching The Herald indicated that the number was considerably lower, as many of the students thought to have been kidnapped have since returned from where they went to hide.
Security operatives have converged on the area to provide security as a headcount is said to be ongoing.
The Katsina State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Gambo Isah, confirmed the incident but added that a headcount was still ongoing to determine the number of students killed.
“Yesterday, around 11:30 pm, we heard a report that bandits in their numbers armed with their AK-47 rifles attacked Government School, Kankara and they were shooting sporadically.
“We have our men guarding the school, so there was an exchange of fire in a gun duel. That gave the students an opportunity to escape. Many of them scaled through the fence of the school. The attackers injured one of our inspectors, reinforcement was drafted and the DPO led an armoured personnel carrier (APC) team.
“While we were exchanging fire with the bandits, they were retreating into the forest. This morning, the DPO called and said he has found over 200 of the students that escaped. Search parties are still rallying into the town and nearby farms in order to get the students that escaped from the school.
“So, we are still counting the numbers in order to know those that are missing. We cannot ascertain at this particular time whether these bandits were able to kidnap any of the students.
“Counting is still ongoing, because the students had the opportunity of scaling the fence for safety. Later on, we will be able to confirm if some students were kidnapped because they will call to demand ransom in their usual way,” Gambo told TheCable.
Recall that Boko Haram abducted girls, most of whom were later returned, from Government Girls’ Science and Technical College, Dapchi in Yobe on February 19, 2018.
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Four years before, Boko Haram abducted over 270 girls from Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS), Chibok in Borno State.
Many of the students remain in captivity until this day despite the government’s efforts.
President Muhammadu Buhari, who hails from Katsina, is presently in his hometown in Daura, Katsina State. He arrived the community on Friday.
Meanwhile, Nigerians have begun to react to the Kankara incident.
Bandits just abducted several students at Govt Science Secondary School in Kankara, Katsina State this morning.
I thought the Northern leaders said that north is the most secured during Buhari’s administration. Honestly this government is a big failure #EndBadGovernmentInNigeria
— ijoba money💰 (@baddestcash_) December 12, 2020
It was confirmed by the principal of Govt Science Secondary School Kankara that they shot the school gateman,break open the gate and kidnapped multiple students….. Allah Ya kawo mana dauki
Kankara Katsina State #SecureNorth#NigerianLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/PYr30iG4Gj
— Been Merleek🎡 (@Beenmerleek) December 12, 2020
Gunmen kidnapped dozens of students in Kankara Katsina State yesterday night, may Allah protect us and bring peace to our nation.#SecureNorth pic.twitter.com/PnDOxN9MTf
— Madu💫 (@___Muhd) December 12, 2020