Kagara: Governor Bello gives fresh updates, says abducted students not released yet
- Niger state government has made clarifications on the alleged release of Kagara students
- Some students of Government Science College, Kagara, were kidnapped on Wednesday, February 17, by unknown gunmen
- The state governor, Sani Bello assured that the government would soon secure the release of the children
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Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello of Niger state has dispelled rumour that 27 students and 3 teachers abducted on Wednesday, February 17, at Government Science College, Kagara, have been released, The Nation reports.
According to him, the government was in the last stage of negotiations with the bandits.
The governor promised that the victims would be released soon.
Meanwhile, Legit.ng had previously reported that a popular Islamic cleric, Sheikh Abubakar Gumi shared details of his recent meeting with armed bandits in Niger state.
He said the meeting was positive as he expressed hope the captives may gain their freedom soon.
Source: Twitter
The bandits had kidnapped some students and teachers in the north-central state earlier this week.
It was reported earlier that the security team dispatched from Abuja to Niger state for the rescue of Kagara students and workers had located the captives in the recesses of a forest.
This was confirmed by a security agent who spoke on the condition of anonymity on Thursday, February 18.
The security sources revealed to journalists that the kidnappers have been surrounded and cornered in Kotonkoro forest of Niger, which is very close to Zamfara.
In a related report, Sheik Gumi met with bandits hiding in forests located between Tegina and Birnin Gwari areas of the state.
After his meeting with the criminals, Sheik Gumi told journalists that the Niger captives would be released in no time.
A source within the Gumi-led delegation said the scholar had talks with the gang leader, Dogo Gide, among other commanders at Dutsen Magaji forest.
Also, Gumi had declared that bandits learnt kidnapping from the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND).
MEND was on the frontline of kidnappings when expatriates and oil workers were abducted during the height of militancy in the Niger Delta region.
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Gumi on Tuesday, February 16, said if the federal government could grant amnesty to militants, why can’t the same gesture be extended to bandits.
The northern leader said if the federal government grants them amnesty, bandits would expose those perpetrating criminality.
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Wale Akinola is a passionate journalist and researcher. He works as a senior political/current affairs editor at Legit.ng. He holds both B.A and Master’s degree in Communications and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan. He also holds a Diploma Certificate in Peace Journalism. He has over 15 years of work experience in both print and online media. He derives joy in keeping the public abreast of current happenings locally and internationally through his writings.
Source: Legit.ng
