Following the attack on a Government Science Secondary School, in northwestern Katsina state, governor of the state Aminu Masari has ordered the immediate closure of all boarding secondary schools in the state.
The governor’s directive follows the alleged abduction of about 600 students of the school in Kankara local government area of the state.
Spokesman of the state police command Isah Gambo had earlier debunked claims that 600 students were missing after gunmen, suspected to be armed bandits invaded the school.
A source who was at the school premises had said hundreds of students may have been abducted, as “600 students were unaccounted for after headcount, with several parents panicking in the school premises.”
The governor visited the school in company of Mannir Yakubu, his deputy, on Saturday, pleading with the people to be patient and show restraint and understanding.
He assured citizens of government’s determination to do every necessary thing to ensure the release of any abducted students.
He said, the military, the police and the Department of State Security had swung into action and were on the trail of the suspected bandits.
Masari assured parents of the missing students that both the federal and state governments were doing their best to bring an end to banditry and other debilitating criminal activities in the state.
“The government is very firm in its resolve to be ruthless in any engagement with the bandits,” he said.
By Abel Ejikeme