Kaduna confirms abduction of 30 students, 180 rescued

Kaduna State Government has confirmed about 30 students, mostly females, were abducted at the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka, Igabi LGA of Kaduna State.

It however said 180 other students were rescued from the gunmen during the incident.

The college, located opposite the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, was attacked around 11.30pm on Thursday.

Parents on Friday morning trooped to the college in search of their children.

Speaking to journalists at the college gate, Commissioner for Internal Security, Samuel Aruwan, said troops of the Nigerian Army from 1 Division prevented the bandits from taking many students and rescued 180 of them.

He however said about 30 students could not be accounted for, adding that security agents, including police and military, on the trail of the abductors to rescue the students.

He said, “Troops of the Nigerian Army in the early hours of today, Friday, 12th March 2021 rescued 180 citizens, many of them students, at the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

“The armed bandits in large number had attacked the institution around 11.30pm on Thursday and kidnapped several students and staff.

“The armed bandits broke into the institution by breaching a perimeter fence. They then encroached about 600 metres to attack the first facility.

“The Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs on receiving a distress call alerted the 1 Division Nigerian Army and the Air Training Command of the Nigerian Air Force.

“Troops of the Nigerian Army immediately moved to the school and engaged the armed bandits accordingly.

“The troops successfully rescued 180 citizens; 42 female students, eight staff and 130 male students. However, about 30 students, a mix of males and females, are yet to be accounted for.

“Some of the rescued students were injured and presently receiving medical attention at a military facility.”