KATSINA: Masari orders closure of all boarding schools

GOVEENOR Aminu Masari of Kaduna State has ordered the closure of all boarding schools in the state.

The governor gave the directives following the abduction of unspecified number of students of Government Science Secondary School in Kankara Local Government of the state, by gunmen suspected to be bandits.

The incident was said to have happened on Friday night when the armed men invaded the school.

Masari in an interview with journalists in Katsina described the incident as worrisome, as he gave assurance that efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted pupils.

He said in Hausa, “This incident has gone beyond imagination. For us, it’s highly worrisome and disturbing. I’m assuring parents and guardians of these children that – we couldn’t say that we are more disturbed than them – but to rest assured that we share the same worry with them.

” I urge you people in the name of Allah and his prophet to please remain patient and intensify prayers.”

He said there was no need to trade blame. He added, “We want to assure you that we will do all that is possible to rescue the schoolchildren as we have directed the immediate closure of all schools in the state and that all pupils should be taken back home.”

Explaining why he ordered the closure of boarding schools, Masari, who had in the past negotiated with the bandits and offered them amnesty if they laid down their arms, said, “As I’m speaking to you now, the soldiers are in the bush engaging the militants in a firefight. I plead with you to exercise patience, we will rescue the children and I also ordered for the closure of all schools to save the children.”