Kagara Abduction: Niger Governor orders immediate closure of boarding schools

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

Governor Bello gave the directive on Wednesday while meeting with heads of security agencies in the state at the Government House following the Kagara school abduction.

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

Earlier in the day, armed men attacked the Government Science College Kagara in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State.

The incident started at about 2:00 am on Wednesday when the gunmen shot sporadically, with one student feared killed and several others abducted.

Some teachers and their family members residing within the college staff quarters were also said to have been abducted by the gunmen.

The State Police Command is yet to comment on the incident but an officer in the area who craves anonymity confirmed it.

Also during plenary, the Senate asked President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a state of emergency on insecurity in the country.

The resolution follows a motion by Senator Sani Musa on the abduction of students from the Government Science College Kagara Niger state.

Senator Bima Enagi from Niger State in his contribution, accused the President of incompetence as the security situation is worsening in the country.

He argued that the constitution should be amended to give governors more powers as they are the security officers in their states because the Federal government is incompetent in handling security.

Following the incident, President Buhari has directed armed forces and police to ensure the safe return of the abducted students.

The President has also dispatched a team of security chiefs to coordinate the rescue operation.

This was disclosed in a statement signed on Wednesday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.

“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 the immediate and safe return of all the captives. The President has also dispatched to Minna, Niger State a team of security chiefs to coordinate the rescue operation and meet with state officials, community leaders, as well as parents and staff of the College”.