200 Islamic students reportedly kidnapped in Niger State

ABOUT 200 students of Salihu Tanko Islamiyya School in Tegina, Rafi Local Government area of Niger State were reportedly abducted around 4.30pm today.

Though the actual number of kidnapped students was not immediately ascertained, one person was reportedly shot dead while another was critically injured in the attack by the suspected bandits.

The latest mass abduction of students is coming a day after kidnapped students of Greenfield University in Kaduna were released 40 days after they were plucked, and after a ransom of over N180 million was reportedly paid.

While the police authorities in the state are yet to confirm the incident as at press time, a resident of the area who confirmed the incident to Channels Television via telephone, said the affected school was built by a retired immigration officer.

Secretary to the Niger State Government, Ahmed Matane, said, “Yes, there was an attack at the Islamiyya school, but we do not yet have the exact number of students that were abducted. We are in touch with parents in the area to know those whose children were abducted.”

Matane, who is also the chairman of the state Security committee, further revealed that while the attack in Tegina was going on, there were simultaneous attacks in Lavun LGA and some fringes of Mashegu LGA.

He said though the simultaneous attacks were overwhelming for security agencies at the time, the government working with the agencies has mobilised troops to the various areas, including local vigilantes.