Gunmen reportedly raided a boys secondary school in Katsina on Friday evening and hundreds are feared missing.
According to eye witnesses, the gunmen came in bikes and started shooting in the air causing people to run helter skelter.
The gunmen went straight to the Government Science Secondary School which has more than 800 students residing there.
According to a statement released by the spokesman for the command, SP Gambo Isah, said 200 of the students have returned to the school.“On Friday around 11:30 p.m., gunmen in their numbers attacked the school with dangerous weapons.
They began to shoot and engaged our men guarding the school in a duel. That gave some students an opportunity to jump over the fence and run into the town for safety. The gunmen also shot one of the security guards at the gate who is presently responding to treatment.
The Divisional Police Office in Kankara quickly mobilised security personnel and moved to the area with Armoured Personnel Carrier and engaged the hoodlums in a gun duel, forcing the gunmen to retreat.
More than 200 students who jumped over the school fence into the town to hide have returned” he said.
President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the attack and ordered the school authorities to carry out a full audit of students to find out how many students are missing
According to the Bashir Ahmad, the Personal Assistant on New Media in the Presidency, the President has been in constant touch with Gov. Aminu Masari over the bandits’ attack on the Government Science Secondary School, Kankara in Katsina State, charging the army and the police to go after the attackers to ensure that no student gets missing or harmed.
He also added that the inspector-general of police Mohammed Adamu has ordered the deployment of additional forces to Katsina to assist in rescue operations following the bandits’ attack on the Government Science Secondary School, Kankara.
Governor Aminu Masari, the Katsina state Governor has ordered the closure of all schools in the state.
Speaking to newsmen on the incident, Governor Masari said,
“This incidence has gone beyond imagination. For us, it’s highly worrisome and disturbing. I am assuring parents and guardians of these children that we couldn’t say that we are more disturbed than them but to be rest assured that we share the same worry with them. Because we know that we have the responsibility to protect their lives and their health.”
He added that he has met with the army and has been assured that they are doing everything possible to locate the students and the gunmen
“And by God’s grace, we will do all that it takes to rescue the entire abducted students. I urge you people in the name of Allah and his prophet to please remain patient and intensify prayers. This is because sharing blames and all sorts of abuses are not the solution in this trying time. Honestly speaking, we are not enjoying what is taking place and we are not executing what we supposed to do when it comes to the issue of protection of lives of our people.
We want to assure you that we will do all what is possible on the school children as we have directed for the immediate closure of all schools in the state and that all students should be taken back home.”
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