By Linus Aleke, with additional report
Several bandits yesterday invaded an LEA Primary School in Kuriga town of Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, abducting scores of pupils.
Residents who spoke to journalists as eyewitnesses put the number of abducted pupils to about 100.
It was learnt that the head teacher and the staff of the school were reportedly among the victims.
According to Daily Trust, the tragic incident, which happened at about 8:20 am immediately after the assembly, threw the area into pandemonium as residents were hounded with panic.
The junior and secondary sections relocated to the school building inside Kuriga town a few years ago when insecurity worsened, leading to the abandonment of their former structure, which is outside the city.
However, the Kaduna State government has assured the safe return of pupils abducted.
The state Governor, Uba Sani, who visited Kuriga village and spoke with the National Security Adviser, NSA Malam Nuhu Ribadu, assured the parents that the government would do everything possible to ensure the safe return of the students.
He promised to select seven community members to be part of a committee for discussions.
He also promised to establish a Police Station and build a permanent military camp in the community.
The abduction occurred when bandits invaded an LEA Primary School in Kuriga, Chikun Local Government Area, kidnapping at least 100 pupils, the head teacher, and other staff.
According to reports, they also invaded Gonin-Gora, Chikun LGA, forcing residents to barricade the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway.
The bandits attacked the community from Wednesday night through the early hours of Thursday, kidnapping unspecified numbers of residents.
A pupil who was identified as Ahmed, who sustained gunshot wounds and was taken to the Birnin-Gwari General Hospital, was said to have died.
He was said to have died while receiving treatment at the hospital.
It was learnt that a military formation is close to where the incident occurred at Kuriga 1 near the troubled Birnin-Gwari but in Chikun LGA.
Senator Shehu Sani, who represented Kaduna Central in the 8th National Assembly, expressed concern over the latest incident.
He said the hoodlums abducted at least 232 pupils.
According to him, Kuriga is the same village where a school principal, Idris Sufyan, was killed and his wife kidnapped over a month ago.
Sani tweeted, “It’s tragic to hear that 232 students have been kidnapped in Kuriga village, Chikun Local Government 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.”
*Troops defend Sokoto community, kill terrorists, rescue kidnap victims in Edo
Meanwhile, troops of the Nigerian Army (NA) deployed to counter insurgency in North West Nigeria on Wednesday successfully defended Damba Dikko village, a community in Illela Local Government Area of Sokoto State, which came under attack of marauding insurgents seeking to extort levies from the villagers forcefully.
Responding to a distress call, vigilant troops swiftly stormed the village and engaged the insurgents in a gun duel, neutralizing two of them, and rescuing two villagers held hostage by the insurgents.
NA paramedics have given medical attention to the rescued villagers who suffered minor injuries.
On the same day, troops of the Nigerian Army, in an audacious rescue operation, extricated four kidnap victims abducted by a notorious gang of Kidnappers in Edo State.
The kidnappers had forcefully taken their captives, including a lady and three men, into Ososo forest in Akoko Edo Local Government Area of the state but were tracked and intercepted by the gallant troops, who engaged the criminals in a firefight and extricated the abductees.
According to army spokesman Maj-Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, the troops apprehended one of the kidnappers, who is currently undergoing a preliminary investigation and will be subsequently handed over to the appropriate prosecuting agency.
One of the rescued victims who suffered from shock and fatigue has been evacuated to a medical facility, where he is receiving treatment. In contrast, others have been handed over to their families.
The Nigerian Army says it appreciates members of the public for cooperating with troops and other security agencies in the fight against security challenges in the country and encourages them to continue to be vigilant and promptly report any suspected attempt to breach security to relevant agencies.
