No fewer than 27 schoolboys, three staff members and 12 of their family members are declared missing, following abduction incident at the in Government Science College in Kagara, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State.
Recall some bandits who were in military uniforms, had stormed the school on Tuesday night, shepherding dozens of the schoolboys into the bush.
Sources told DAILY NIGERIAN that the figures were arrived at after a headcount of the students were taken by the school authorities.
Addressing newsmen on Wednesday, Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello disclosed that one student, Benjamin Doma, was shot dead during the attack.
Mr Bello stressed the bandits would use the money to buy sophisticated weapons and cause further harm.
“It is not in our policy as a government to pay ransom to bandits because we have noticed that they use this sand money to buy arms and ammunition.
“However, the government will be ready to support and assist repentant bandits,” the governor said.
He said the government is concerned over the recent bandit attacks in the state, which he admitted have become more brazen and daring.
He asked for immediate intervention from the Federal Government to rescue the students and other abducted persons from the hands of the bandits.
“We are deeply concerned at this recent sad events and are asking the federal government to deploy every necessary resources while we will look at all options, both kinetic and non-kinetic to ensure the safe return of the victims of both incidences.
“We will not rest or sleep until we bring them back to their families,” Mr Bello added.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Armed Forces and Police, to ensure 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.
“President Buhari has assured of the support of his administration to the Armed Forces in their brave struggle against terrorism and banditry and urged them to do all that can be done to bring an end to this saga, and avoid such cowardly attacks on schools in the future,” a presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu, said in a statement.
