Armed bandits have again stormed a college in Zamfara state, abducting 15 students and four staff members.
Two security guards and a police official were killed during the attack.
An unspecified number of bandits had invaded the College of Agriculture and Animal Science in Bakura LGA of the state at 10 am on Sunday, causing tension and panic in the area.
The Deputy Registrar of the college, Aliyu Atiku confirmed the incident to BBC Hausa Monday morning.
“As I am talking to you now, we have formally discovered that the bandits kidnapped 15 students, three women, and one person who is also our staff and killed two of our security watchmen, one police officer.”
He stated that the group spent about one and a half hours operating in the school.
The police spokesperson in the state, Muhammed Shehu also confirmed the incident in a statement.
According to him, security agents successfully rescued 2 staff kidnapped by the outlaw gang.
“The bandits who were in large number came to the school at about midnight with intent to abduct a large number of students and staff but were heavily confronted by the Tactical Police Operatives.
“Unfortunately, a Police Inspector and two (2) other civilian guards lost their lives while 15 students and 4 staff were abducted by the bandits,” the spokesperson said.
“The police operatives, while on extensive bush combing at the surrounding areas, rescued 3 staff who will be debriefed and medically examined before being reunited with their families.
“The Commissioner of Police, while at the school, held an emergency meeting where he assured the school management and the relations that the Police Command in collaboration with other security agencies, especially the Military, are employing various search and rescue strategies in order to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted students and staff currently in captivity.
“The commissioner further went around the school and assessed the existing security arrangements to enable more reinforcement to be provided against further invasion,” Shehu said.
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