. Security agents rescue 28 students
Suspected bandits in the early hours of Monday struck at Bethel Secondary School, Maramara in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, abducting over 140 students and staff.
It was learnt that the bandits attacked the school, located in the outskirts of the state capital, at about 1:00am, shooting indiscriminately before whisking away the students and staff.
Two soldiers, who were also said to have been shot and fatally injured by the bandits during the attack on the school, later died.
Police in the state have yet to confirm the number of students abducted.
But it said a joint security team comprising policemen, soldiers and others had rescued 17 of the abducted students.
State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Muhammed Jalige said, “Yes, I can confirm to you that there was an incident at the school but the joint security team comprising the Police, Army and others have rescued 17 students.
“We cannot say this is the number of students kidnapped for now. As soon as that information is available, we will issue a statement.”
One of the boarding schools security guards, Mr. Daniel Muhuta, explained that the institution was attacked by the gunmen at about 1:00am.
“I escaped narrowly myself. They came around 1.00am and started shooting. I was at the back of the school dormitory when I heard the gunshots and decided to hide,” he said.
It was learnt from residents of the area that several students were abducted, but four of them escaped and returned to the school.
Already, security operatives have cordoned off the area as parents and relatives of the kidnapped students thronged the school to ascertain the whereabouts of their children.