Charles Ogwo
It is no longer news that banditry and kidnapping of school children is become a lucrative business in Nigeria. Nigerians especially those from the northern region had witnessed mass abduction of school children by armed bandits and/or Boko Haram in the last few years. On April 14, 2014, many female student of the Government Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State were kidnapped by the Boko Haram terrorist group.
Last year on December 11, 2020, over 300 school children were kidnapped from the boarding unit of a secondary school in Kankara, Katsina State.
On Friday, February 26, news had that more than 300 school girls were kidnapped from Government Girls Secondary School, Jangebe in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State by unidentified gunmen.
That came just as Nigerians were in jubilation over the release of the boys abducted from Government Science Secondary School, Kagara in Niger State. It will be recalled that on February 17, gunmen stormed Government Science Secondary School, Kagara in Niger State and abducted over 41 persons most of whom were students and staff of the school.
These students were kidnapped precisely on February 17 by gunmen on motorbikes into Rugu forest.
The abductees who were subjected to inhuman treatment, spent about a week in captivity before they were released. It was reported that the bandits who appeared in military uniform, overpowered the security guards on duty, before whisking away their victims.
After 9 days in captivity, the Kagara students were freed by their abductors on Saturday.
President Muhammadu Buhari, reacting to the news of the release, through his spokesmam, Malam Garba shehu in a statement in Abuja, commended the nation’s security and intelligence agencies and the government of Niger State for their responses in securing the release of the victims.
“We are happy they have been released”, he said.
However, despite efforts by the state government to rescue the innocent students held captive in Zamfara State, the school girls are still with their abductors up till now.
Many Nigerian parents expressed their worries and emotional trauma over the incidences of school children abduction rampant in the country today.
Mr. Kingsley Inyang, a public servant could not hold back his tears for the children and parents involved in this mess as he puts it.
“It is unfortunate where we found ourselves as a country. I pray that God will intervene and get these innocent children out this mess”, he said.
Mrs Nonye Okoli, a parent who resides in Mowe in Ogun State expressed her worries over her son’s safety as he just got admission to Federal Government College in Daura.
“In fact, I’m confused! You see, my son just got posted to Daura and I am considering changing his school or better still register him to any good private school around. I cannot afford to lose my child just like that. There is no guarantee the Federal Government is doing anything to curtail incidences of insecurity in the land”, she said.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday assured Nigerians that the abduction of school girls from the Government Girls Science Secondary School, Jangebe in Zamfara State would be the last to happen in the country.
Buhari who was represented by the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika who led a delegation from the Federal Government to sympathise with the people and government of Zamfara, Stated on Sunday, February 28.
