Updated: Kebbi gov: We got inte of bandits’ movement but FG advised against shutting college

Kebbi State Governor, Abubakar Bagudu, has said prior to the bandits’ invasion of a Federal Government College, Birnin Yauri on Thursday, there was an intelligence report that the gunmen were going to strike.

He said the intelligence came two weeks before bandits attacked the college, adding that the school was not closed on the advice of the Federal Government, instead a detachment of special Anti-Terrorism Task Force was deployed there.

When he visited the school in Birnin Yauri for on-the-spot assessment, the governor addressed parents, staff and the students that escaped being kidnapped.

He said when he consulted with the federal authorities on the situation at hand, it was agreed that since the school would be closing in two weeks time after the students finished writing their terminal examination, the school should be provided with security for the period.

He said, “About two weeks ago we heard that there was a bandits movement. Bandits were sighted around here. We consulted with federal authorities and they told us that the schools has about two weeks to finish their terminal exams.

“At that consultation, we all agreed that if security could be found and stationed in the school that could support the children to finish their exams before going home.

“The police commissioner graciously enough find a big contingent from the special Terrorism Task Force that were stationed in the school before the incident that happened yesterday (Thursday).”

The bandits who invaded the school  kidnapped a yet-to-be-confirmed number of students and teachers.

In a joint operation in the early hours of Friday, security operatives rescued two teachers and five students.

While addressing parents of the kidnapped students on Friday, Bagudu explained that the state heard about bandits’ movement around the school weeks before the attack, and deployed additional security operatives.

A statement by Yahaya Sarki, spokesman for the Kebbi governor, quoted Bagudu as assuring the parents that efforts were being intensified to ensure the safe rescue of the remaining victims.

“The state government will do everything humanly possible to bring these children and the staff back safely,” he said.

The governor also said, “Since this unfortunate incident occurred, all hands are on the deck to ensure that these our children and the staff are rescued alive, hale and hearty.

“This abduction was a brazen and tragic incident, where bandits confronted the policemen who were providing security to the school. Unfortunately, they made away with some students and teachers. It is an unfortunate incident.”

Bagudu said, “These children are all ours and we are obliged to pray to seek for their safe return. I am glad that the parents who also spoke expressed courage. They have also acknowledged that the security agents did the best they could and they are still doing their very best, Equally, the school authorities, principal, teachers and other staff. By God’s grace, our children will come back to us.”