By PAUL ADAJI, Abuja –
The Nigeria Police Force has begun aerial search for rescue of kidnapped students, teachers, and other staff of Government Science College, Kagara.
This is coming on the heels of the latest attack on some communities in Shiroro LGA of Niger State by gunmen, who killed one person and abducted at least 10 others barely 24 hours after the abduction of 41 school students, teachers, and family members from the Kagara college.
The police spokesperson, Frank Mba, disclosed in a statement titled: Kagara abductions: We are committed to the safe rescue of all abductees, says IGP’, on Thursday.
Mba also said that aerial surveillance had begun to ensure the rescue of the victims.
The statement reads: “The Inspector-General of Police, M.A Adamu, has assured the nation that the Force is irrevocably committed to the safe rescue of all abductees in the recent attack on Government Science College, Kagara in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State and other related incidents.
“The IGP notes that a joint massive search and rescue mission involving the Police, the Military, and other law enforcement agencies is ongoing to ensure that all abducted persons are rescued unhurt and reunited with their families.
“To give impetus to the rescue operation, the IGP has ordered the deployment of additional tactical, intelligence and investigative assets of the Force including four units of Police Mobile Force attached to Operation Puff Adder II, one Unit of Police Special Forces, personnel of the Counter-Terrorism Unit and operatives from the Force Intelligence Bureau and the Force Criminal Investigations Department. One police aerial surveillance helicopter has also been deployed.
“The Police component of the search and rescue operation is being coordinated by the Commissioner of Police, Niger State who is effectively harnessing all the deployed resources and working in sync with the Military and other law enforcement agents in ensuring an intelligence-driven, focused and result-oriented ground and aerial surveillance in the rescue operations and to bring the perpetrators to book.
“The Inspector-General of Police, while calling for calm, has enjoined members of the community to provide the Force and the security community with useful, relevant, and timely information that can assist in the ongoing search and rescue operations.”
The villages attacked include Sarkin Zama, Lagbe (Bakin Kogi), Siyiko, Kokki, and other adjoining villages, all in Gurmana ward of Shiroro LGA.
Confirming the incident to Channels Television via a telephone conversation, the Co-Convener, Concerned Shiroro Youths, Sani Kokki said the attack took place on Wednesday night while the state was still grappling with the shock of the abduction of students, teachers, and others at GSSS Kagara.
According to Mr. Kokki, the gunmen stormed the villages in large numbers heavily armed.
He said the attack. which lasted for hours, claimed at least one life with two persons injured.
One person was shot in the eye while the other was shot around the armpit.
Those who sustained injuries have been rushed to Kuta General Hospital and are being treated.
Kagara Attack
Niger is the largest state in the country and shares a border with the Federal Capital Territory.
Bandit assaults are not unfamiliar in the region, but Wednesday’s school attack, reminiscent of similar events in Chibok, Dapchi, and Kankara, earned national attention.
The President swiftly condemned the attack and ordered security agencies to ensure the safe return of students and officials abducted by the gunmen.
The Niger State government also ordered the immediate closure of all boarding schools in the bandit-ravaged areas of the state.
On Thursday, the State Ministry of Education released a list containing the name of people that have been abducted.
(With addition report by THE NATION)
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