Updated: Kaduna communities face mass exodus after kidnap of 287 pupils

Kaduna communities face mass exodus after kidnap of 287 pupils

 

Fear has enveloped many communities in Kaduna State and mass exodus is imminent after the kidnap of 287 pupils from their Kuriga community school in the Chikun Local Government Area of the state on Thursday.

Although the state government said it was working with security agencies combing the bushes for the missing pupils and a teacher taken away by the marauders, there is confusion in many of the communities as locals are beginning to seek refuge elsewhere.

The latest abduction came about twenty-four hours after Boko Haram insurgents kidnapped about 300 women in Borno State and set ablaze their internally displaced persons’ (IDPs) camp.

Reports indicate that the incident happened at about 8.30 am when the pupils were about to conclude the morning assembly.

A local was reported by Daily Trust as saying the bandits came from different parts of the village and encircled the school premises.

He said, “The bandits kidnapped over 200, both primary school pupils and secondary students.  The secondary school students were moved from a location outside the community to the primary school due to the fear of bandits’ attack.

“They also went away with a teacher, named Isa.  They shot one student, identified simply as Rabilu, who was rushed to Birnin Gwari hospital. He survived.

“They (bandits) gathered all the children and forced them to move towards the North Eastern part of the community, on foot.

“The entire community is in deep confusion.  Every household was affected. Besides, we are all related. We are also afraid of renewed attacks because the bandits might be hiding somewhere to wait for security operatives who may come on rescue mission.

“Kuriga is in serious confusion. The situation is very unpleasant. The vigilante here are not well equipped. The security operatives are stationed at Udawa which is far. We also have network problem.”

Police react

Mansir Hassan, spokesperson for the Kaduna State police command, confirmed the incident.

“I’m attending a security meeting but the police tactical team has been deployed to go after the criminals by combing the bushes to rescue the victims,” he said.

Senator Shehu Sani, said on his X page, “It’s tragic to hear that 232 students have just been kidnapped in Kuriga village, Chikun LG in Kaduna State.

“It’s the same village where a school principal, Idris Sufyan, was killed and his wife kidnapped over a month ago.  However, I’m optimistic their freedom will be secured.”

The Federal Government came up with the Safe Schools Initiative to stave off further invasion of schools and kidnap of students.

The project came into being after the global outcry that followed the abduction of students of Government Girls College in Chibok, Borno State in 2014.