Reports suggest no less than 200 children have been allegedly abducted by bandits during an attack on Salihu Tanko Islamic School in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger state in northcentral Nigeria.
It’s believed that the bandits had invaded the school on Sunday in their numbers on motorcycles and started shooting sporadically into the air.
Spokesman of the Niger State Police command, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the attack and added that tactical teams have been mobilised to the location to rescue the victims.
Mr Abiodun in a statement on Sunday said “armed bandits on board motorcycles in their numbers invaded Tegina town, Rafi LGA shooting indiscriminately and abducted a yet to be ascertained number of children at Salihu Tanko Islamic school, Tegina. The bandits shot one person dead in the process.
“However, the Command has immediately mobilized all tactical teams including operation puff 2 to the location for rescue of the victims.
“The Command also calls for calm as the Police and other security agencies shall do everything humanly possible to ensure that the children are rescued unhurt.”
Several school children of the Government Science College (GSC) Kagara had been abducted in Niger state in a previous attack this year.
While the students have been released, rising insecurity in the country has led to the abduction of at least 700 students and children since December 2020 and clashes between herdsmen and farmers in the country.
By Abel Ejikeme