Zamfara School Abduction: Three Staff Members Rescued

Onuminya Innocent

Three abducted staff members of Zamfara State College of Agriculture and Animal Science have been rescued by the police.

In a statement issued by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mohammed Shehu, confirmed this to journalists in Gusau, the state capital.

The statement further said the state Commissioner of Police, Ayuba N. Elkana, accompanied by strategic and tactical commanders visited the school at Bakura yesterday following the attack on the school by bandits.

Mohammed disclosed that bandits, who were in a large number, came to the school at midnight with the intent to abduct large number of students and staff, but were heavily confronted by the Tactical Police Operatives who were alerted and responded to the scene on time.

He, however, said a Police Inspector and two other civilian guards lost their lives while 15 students and four staff members were abducted by the bandits.

The PPRO stated that police operatives, while on extensive bush combing at the surrounding areas, rescued three staff who will be debriefed and medically examine before being reunited with their families.

The state police boss, while at the school, held an emergency meeting where he assured the school management and their relations that the state police command in collaboration with other security agencies are employing various search and rescue strategies in order to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted students and staff currently in captivity.

The CP further went round the school and assessed the existing security arrangements to enable more reinforcement against further invasion.

The Provost of the school, Habibu Mainasara, while briefing the Commissioner of Police, commended the resilience of the police operatives for standing their ground despite the abductors strong fight against them.

Speaking also, the Director-General of Media to Governor Bello Mutawelle, Idris, said the governor has mandated the security agencies to rescue the remaining abductees.

Idris added if not for effort of the state government by putting security in all schools in the state, the situation could have been worse.

When he was asked whether the state government will close down the college, he said the governor alone cannot take that decision till he conveys security meeting with other stakeholders.