JUST IN: Bandits attack Zamfara School, abduct students

Bandits have abducted a yet-to-be ascertained number of students following an attack on Kaya Day Secondary School in Zamfara State.

The incident occurred at about 11am on Wednesday in Maradun Local Government Area of the state.

A source within the government, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed the attack on the school and the students’ abduction to Channels Television.

But police authorities in Zamfara have yet to confirm the incident.

Sources explained that the assailants invaded the school in a large number and left with the students to an undisclosed location.

Bandits have continued to terrorise communities in Zamfara, a disturbing trend that made the government announce a set of new measures to check their growing activities in the state.

Last week, the government announced the restriction of fuel sales to the state capital and the headquarters of the 14 local government areas of the state.

In addition, it directed eligible filling stations not to sell fuel beyond N10,000 to a single customer while the sale of fuel in jerry cans and roadside purchases (black market) were banned.

Another stringent move by the government to tackle banditry was the suspension of all weekly markets across the state, although normal market activities of buying and selling for local consumptions were exempted.

It had also suspended the transportation of livestock to and from the state, saying the transportation of food across the state and outside Zamfara must be verified.

As officials enforce the new measures, the government had sought the support and understanding of the people, saying the new measures were not intended to hurt anyone.

Barely a week after the measures were put in place, bandits struck again as they invaded Kaya Day Secondary School.

This is the third attack on schools in Zamfara this year – coming after the incidents in Jangebe and Bakura areas of the state.

A total of 317 students were abducted from the Government Girls Science Secondary School in Jangebe during an attack in February, six months before bandits kidnapped at least 20 persons comprising students and officials from the College of Agriculture and Animal Science, Bakura.