Hours after the abduction of an unspecified number of students by an outlaw gang in Kankara Local Government Area, Kastina, the state governor, Aminu Masari issued a directive to shut down all boarding secondary schools in the state.
On Friday, the Nigerian military had located and exchanged fire with the gang who were armed with AK-47s.
According to police spokesman Gambo Isah, the bandits came on motorcycles firing sporadically and tried to enter the school.
During a visit to the council area, the governor called for the suspension of all academic activities noting that insecurity in the state has gone beyond expectation.
“The situation goes beyond one’s thinking. It’s a sad moment for Katsina, I am assuring parents of the missing students we will do anything humanly possible to rescue the children, it’s our responsibility to protect lives and properties.
“As I am speaking to you now, the soldiers are in the bush engaging the militants in a fire fight, I plead with you to exercise patience, we will rescue the children and I also ordered for the closure of all schools to save the children,” the governor said.
The governor declared that both the governments at federal and state levels were doing their best to bring an end to banditry and other debilitating criminal activities in the state.
President Mohammed Buhari had in a statement released earlier condemned the attack on the students. He also urged the army to ensure that the victims are recovered and secured.
“I strongly condemn the cowardly bandits’ attack on innocent children at the Science School, Kankara. Our prayers are with the families of the students, the school authorities and the injured,” he said.
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