Godwin Isenyo, Adebayo Ayinde, Olaide Oyelude, Maiharaji Altine and John Charles Published 1 May 2021Bandits are currently on the rampage in the northern part of the country, kidnapping schoolchildren and students at will. What started as coordinated attacks on villagers in communities in states in the region have worsened to brutal kidnap of students for ransom. From Katsina, Zamfara, Niger, Kaduna and lately, Benue State, bandits have caused.
Six Days in Bandits’ Den: We went through hell Released Katsina students
On Our abductors flogged us, shot into air to scare us Fed us with cassava, raw potatoes, dirty water We trekked long hours in the bush in cold night No ransom paid to secure their release Gov Masari Put your experience behind you Buhari tells them
By Kingsley Omonobi; Dapo Akinrefon; Ibrahim HassanWuyo; Bashir Bello & Charly Agwam
After spending six days in the bandits’ enclave under dehumanising conditions, 344 students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina State yesterday relived their traumatic experience moments after they regained freedom.
Looking unkempt and emaciated, many of the students were barefooted and limping. Their parents expressed relief from six agonising days. Governor Aminu Masari said while some parents cried for a missing child, he cried for 344 missing children.
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A cross-section of the rescued students of Government Science Secondary School Kankara, Katsina State. Source: Femi Adesina s Facebook Page
Abduction, most traumatic period of our lives –Parents
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Some of the 344 schoolboys kidnapped in Katsina State by suspected bandits and released on Thursday, six days later have recounted their experiences in the den of the kidnappers.
The pupils were kidnapped last Friday from the Government Science Secondary School in Kankara. Boko Haram had on Tuesday claimed responsibility for the kidnapping though some government officials had refuted the claim that the terrorist group was involved in the mass abduction.