Breaking: Niger Govt shuts boarding schools after Kagara abductions

The Governor of Niger State, Abubakar Sani Bello, has ordered the immediate closure of all boarding schools in the bandit ravaged areas of the state.

The Governor said the action is necessary to save the life of the students as the areas have already been taking over by bandits.

This follows the abduction of school children at the Government Science College (GSC), Kagara.

Gunmen had attacked the school early hours of Wednesday and abducted yet-to-be-known number of the students.

Sani Bello, governor of the state, gave the order at a press conference.

He said this after a brief meeting with heads of security agencies in the state at the Government House, Minna on Wednesday.

Bello also cried out to the President Muhammadu Buhari, to deploy all necessary mechanisms to help in containing the situation as it is now out of hand.

Meanwhile, the President has ordered security operatives to ensure the immediate return of the abducted students and staff of Government Science College in Kagara, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State.

A student was also reportedly killed by the bandits during the attack.

A statement issued by the Senior Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, revealed that a team of security chiefs have been dispatched towards their rescue.

The statement read, “President Muhammadu Buhari has received reports of the brazen attack on Government Science College, Kagara, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, following which a yet to be ascertained number of staff and students have been abducted by gunmen.

“Following these reports, the President has directed the Armed Forces and Police, to ensure immediate and safe return of all the captives.

“President Buhari has assured of the support of his administration to the Armed Forces in their brave struggle against terrorism and banditry and urged them to do all that can be done to bring an end to this saga, and avoid such cowardly attacks on schools in the future.

“Our prayers are with families of the victims of this attack,” said the President as he condemned as cowardly the attack on innocent school children.”