Niger State government has announced that 11 out of the 200 students of Salihu Tanko Islamic School, who were kidnapped in Niger State on Sunday, have been released by their abductors.
The Chief Press Secretary to the state governor, Mary Noel-Berje, said in a statement on Monday that the bandits released the 11 children because they were too young and could not walk.
Roots TV had reported how pupils of the Islamic school in Tegina, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger state, were abducted on Sunday by armed men.
The school, which consists of nursery and primary schools, also hosts Islamiyya students in the evening and at weekends.
Noel-Berje said, “The situation has reached crisis level, in fact, it’s a war situation that we have to confront without further delay.
“Reports also said the gunmen, on about 70 motorcycles, attacked 17 communities in Wushishi Local Government Area where they shot several people while some women and children drowned as they tried to escape across River Kaduna.
“More than 10 people were reported to be receiving treatment at the Wushishi General Hospital even as a search was still ongoing for many missing persons from Babako, Tashan Girgi, Kwakwagi, Fakara, Ndiga, Buzu, Akare, Kala Kala, Agwa, Anguwan Gizo, Tsamiya and other neighbouring villages attacked by the bandits.
“The governor described as unfortunate and unbecoming of the serial attacks and assured that the Joint Military Task Force has been mobilized and are already tracing the tracks of the criminals for possible isolation and ambush.
“He further appealed for calm and restated the strong resolve of the state government to continue to protect the lives and property of the citizens as a matter of utmost importance and priority.”