By Babajide Okeowo
Katsina State Governor Aminu Masari has disclosed that the number of students who were kidnapped from the Government Science Secondary School in the Ƙanƙara Local Government Area of Katsina by bandits cannot be ascertained yet.
The governor, while speaking with reporters on Saturday said 426 students have been counted as safe from the 884 students in the school at the time of the attack.
“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 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.
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 are supposed to do when it comes to the issue of protection of lives of our people” the governor said in the Hausa Language.
The governor also disclosed that he has met with the Nigerian Army who informed him they are on top of the situation as efforts intensify to locate the bandits while declaring the closure of all schools in the state with immediate effect.
“We want to assure you that we will do all that 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” Masari stated.
Recall that gunmen had stormed Government Science Secondary School in Ƙanƙara Local Government Area of the state on Friday night, causing students, teachers, and staff members to flee for their lives. Several students were reported to have been kidnapped.
