DETAILED: How gunmen invaded Kaduna school, abducted 39 students
Afnews Editor
Mar 13, 2021
Gunmen, who have been terrorising Kaduna and neighboring states, on Friday launched their most daring raid yet when they attacked the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka, Igabi Local Government Area, located opposite the permanent site of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).
READ ALSO: BRUTALITY: Police inspector strangled in Imo
They were almost making away with 219 victims students and staff of the college when soldiers from the NDA stormed the scene, engaged the bandits in a gun duel and thwarted the raid.
READ ALSO: Popular Islamic Cleric Found Dead In Zamfara
One hundred and eighty of the abductees were rescued.
READ ALSO: How Suspects Used Fake Alert to Acquire 75m Mercedes Benz GLE In Kano
The Kaduna State Government said last night that 39 others were still missing.
READ ALSO: 2 Billion Scandal: Inside Gavice Logistics, EFCC's Probe, and the Future of Its CEO
A similar attempt by gunmen also on Friday to kidnap students of Turkish International Secondary School, Rigachikun, Kaduna State, was foiled by soldiers.
READ ALSO: Abia State Government Debunks Report of Otti's Defection to APC | Full Details Inside
But it was not immediately known whether the two raids were carried out by the same group.
READ ALSO: CORONAVIRUS: Is Nigeria managed better that many developed countries?
Sources said the gunmen cleverly avoided entering the College of Forestry Mechanization from the main gate in order not to attract the attention of soldiers from the nearby NDA.
READ ALSO: Gender Bills: Deputy Speaker's Aide Steps Up Stakeholder Consultation in S/East
Instead, they opted for the back of the school compound where they knocked some bricks off the school's perimeter fence to create a huge opening through which they gained entry.
READ ALSO: INEC Sued Over 'Missing' 55.9bn 2019 Election Funds
They first went to the male students' hostel which was close to the breached fence and later the female hostel.
READ ALSO: How NDLEA Finally Captured Drug Kingpin Who Killed Three Officers After 12 Years on the Run
That was when they started shooting. Mrs Angelina Babale, mother of one of the missing girls, said she was praying when she heard gunshots from the direction of the school at about 11.30pm.
READ ALSO: How NDLEA Uncovered a Massive Lekki Drug Lab and Arrested Its Saudi-Bound Owner | SEE PHOTOS
She said: "I live close to the college. I was praying at night and at about 11: 30 I heard sporadic gunshots and I thought it was within our area.
READ ALSO: [EXCLUSIVE] Abia: Insecurity In Isuikwuato LGA, Ihejirika Speaks, Proffers Solutions
"I ran to the village head's house. There I met a large crowd of people.
READ ALSO: W0W! Swizz Beatz And Timbaland Sell Verzuz To Triller
"The village head said the gunshots were from the Forestry College, but we could not go there. I started calling my daughter, Blessing Babale, who is a student in the school, but her line was not going.
READ ALSO: BRUTALITY: Police inspector strangled in Imo
"So, this morning we came to the school and we were told that some of the students were at Ribadu Cantonment. We sent one of my husband's brothers to go and find out if she was there only to discover that she was not there.
READ ALSO: Popular Islamic Cleric Found Dead In Zamfara
"The stories of students' abduction that we hear from far away have come near us.
READ ALSO: How Suspects Used Fake Alert to Acquire 75m Mercedes Benz GLE In Kano
"It is so bad that at home we are not safe, in schools our children are equally not safe.
READ ALSO: 2 Billion Scandal: Inside Gavice Logistics, EFCC's Probe, and the Future of Its CEO
"The government has to do something to stop all these abductions. I am worried and my prayer is for her and others to be released safely.ÔÇØ
READ ALSO: Abia State Government Debunks Report of Otti's Defection to APC | Full Details Inside
Another parent, Mr Sunday Hai, said his daughter, Sarah Sunday, returned to the school hours before the raid.
READ ALSO: CORONAVIRUS: Is Nigeria managed better that many developed countries?
He said: "My daughter is schooling here. I came to confirm whether she is around or not. I am just confused. I called her line this morning but later it was switched off.
READ ALSO: Gender Bills: Deputy Speaker's Aide Steps Up Stakeholder Consultation in S/East
"She came home on Wednesday to collect money for some things she needed ahead of her exams next week.
READ ALSO: INEC Sued Over 'Missing' 55.9bn 2019 Election Funds
"I just gave her the money yesterday and she returned immediately. If I knew something like this was going to happen, I would not have allowed her to return yesterday.
READ ALSO: How NDLEA Finally Captured Drug Kingpin Who Killed Three Officers After 12 Years on the Run
"I don't know whether we have security in this country, because if actually we have security, see NDA here very close to the school, then how is it possible that they will come into the school and start abducting students? I am just confused.
READ ALSO: How NDLEA Uncovered a Massive Lekki Drug Lab and Arrested Its Saudi-Bound Owner | SEE PHOTOS
"I was told they (bandits) broke in through the back and started the abduction. Then the security operatives came in through the gate.ÔÇØ
READ ALSO: [EXCLUSIVE] Abia: Insecurity In Isuikwuato LGA, Ihejirika Speaks, Proffers Solutions
Bitrus Shekari who has two of his children in the school said one was taken away by the bandits while the other is safe.
READ ALSO: W0W! Swizz Beatz And Timbaland Sell Verzuz To Triller
Markus Mathew, an off-campus student, said though he was not in the school premises when the gunmen carried out the attack, his classmates called him during the operation.
READ ALSO: BRUTALITY: Police inspector strangled in Imo
He said: "The school was to close on Monday because of what happened at the airport last week, but the security people told them (school's authorities) not to worry; that they were on top of the situation.
READ ALSO: Popular Islamic Cleric Found Dead In Zamfara
"I stay off campus. I learnt of the attack yesterday night around 11:30 PM.
READ ALSO: How Suspects Used Fake Alert to Acquire 75m Mercedes Benz GLE In Kano
"I was even planning to move to the school hostel in preparation for our exam which is billed to start next Thursday. The school is close to military institutions and we felt we were safe.
READ ALSO: 2 Billion Scandal: Inside Gavice Logistics, EFCC's Probe, and the Future of Its CEO
"We have NDA, an army division not far from here. So, I never expected this to happen.
READ ALSO: Abia State Government Debunks Report of Otti's Defection to APC | Full Details Inside
"I am in shock. I have lost interest in schooling. I think we are in trouble in this country.
READ ALSO: CORONAVIRUS: Is Nigeria managed better that many developed countries?
"From my checks now, five female and eight male students from my department are missing.ÔÇØ
READ ALSO: Gender Bills: Deputy Speaker's Aide Steps Up Stakeholder Consultation in S/East
The Kaduna State Government said yesterday that about 39 students, most of them females, were abducted, while 180 were rescued at the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka, Igabi LGA of Kaduna State.
READ ALSO: INEC Sued Over 'Missing' 55.9bn 2019 Election Funds
Internal Security Commissioner Samuel Aruwan said soldiers from One Division of the Nigerian Army prevented the bandits from taking away all the students they had abducted.
READ ALSO: How NDLEA Finally Captured Drug Kingpin Who Killed Three Officers After 12 Years on the Run
He however said 39 students could not be immediately accounted for.
READ ALSO: How NDLEA Uncovered a Massive Lekki Drug Lab and Arrested Its Saudi-Bound Owner | SEE PHOTOS
Security agents, according to him, were working hard to rescue them.
READ ALSO: [EXCLUSIVE] Abia: Insecurity In Isuikwuato LGA, Ihejirika Speaks, Proffers Solutions
He said: "The armed bandits in large numbers had attacked the institution at around 11:30pm on Thursday and kidnapped several students and staff.
READ ALSO: W0W! Swizz Beatz And Timbaland Sell Verzuz To Triller
"The armed bandits broke into the institution by breaching a perimeter fence. They then encroached about 600 metres to attack the first facility.
READ ALSO: BRUTALITY: Police inspector strangled in Imo
"The Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs on receiving a distress call alerted the One Division Nigerian Army and the Air Training Command of the Nigerian Air Force.
READ ALSO: Popular Islamic Cleric Found Dead In Zamfara
"Troops of the Nigerian Army immediately moved to the school and engaged the armed bandits accordingly.
READ ALSO: How Suspects Used Fake Alert to Acquire 75m Mercedes Benz GLE In Kano
"The troops successfully rescued 180 citizens; 42 female students, eight staff and 130 male students. However, about 30 students, a mix of males and females, are yet to be accounted for.
READ ALSO: 2 Billion Scandal: Inside Gavice Logistics, EFCC's Probe, and the Future of Its CEO
"Some of the rescued students were injured and currently receiving medical attention at a military facility.ÔÇØ
READ ALSO: Abia State Government Debunks Report of Otti's Defection to APC | Full Details Inside
He said Governor Nasir El-Rufai, on receiving the report, thanked the troops for their swift response and the rescue of the 180 citizens and wished the injured students a speedy recovery.
READ ALSO: CORONAVIRUS: Is Nigeria managed better that many developed countries?
The commissioner, in an update last night, said 39 students were still missing.
READ ALSO: Gender Bills: Deputy Speaker's Aide Steps Up Stakeholder Consultation in S/East
He said: "Further checks in the wake of the attack by armed bandits on the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka, Igabi LGA indicate that 39 students are currently unaccounted for.
READ ALSO: INEC Sued Over 'Missing' 55.9bn 2019 Election Funds
"The number of missing students is now confirmed to be 39, comprising 23 females and 16 males.
READ ALSO: How NDLEA Finally Captured Drug Kingpin Who Killed Three Officers After 12 Years on the Run
"The Kaduna State Government is maintaining close communication with the management of the college as efforts are sustained by security agencies towards the tracking of the missing students.ÔÇØ
READ ALSO: How NDLEA Uncovered a Massive Lekki Drug Lab and Arrested Its Saudi-Bound Owner | SEE PHOTOS
The school was desolate in the aftermath of the raid.
READ ALSO: [EXCLUSIVE] Abia: Insecurity In Isuikwuato LGA, Ihejirika Speaks, Proffers Solutions
Belongings of the students littered the hostels.
READ ALSO: W0W! Swizz Beatz And Timbaland Sell Verzuz To Triller
Troops foil kidnap attempt at Turkish school
READ ALSO: BRUTALITY: Police inspector strangled in Imo
A similar raid by gunmen on Turkish International Secondary School located in Rigachikun, Kaduna State was also foiled yesterday by troops of Quick Response Force of One Division.
READ ALSO: Popular Islamic Cleric Found Dead In Zamfara
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Yerima, said in a statement that the troops quickly mobilised to protect the school from the bandits following a tip off.
READ ALSO: How Suspects Used Fake Alert to Acquire 75m Mercedes Benz GLE In Kano
He said a combined team of Army, Air Force, Police and DSS "are currently combing the forest in pursuit of the bandits.ÔÇØ
READ ALSO: 2 Billion Scandal: Inside Gavice Logistics, EFCC's Probe, and the Future of Its CEO
The two attacks are the latest by gunmen in the Northwest where they abducted over 300 students of the Government Girls Secondary School, Jangebe, Zamfara State on February 26.
READ ALSO: Abia State Government Debunks Report of Otti's Defection to APC | Full Details Inside
The girls were released four days later.
READ ALSO: CORONAVIRUS: Is Nigeria managed better that many developed countries?
On February 17, gunmen also raided Government Science College, Kagara, Niger State and abducted 27students and staff,
READ ALSO: Gender Bills: Deputy Speaker's Aide Steps Up Stakeholder Consultation in S/East
They were released 10 days later.
READ ALSO: INEC Sued Over 'Missing' 55.9bn 2019 Election Funds
SOURCE
Related Stories
How Suspects Used Fake Alert to Acquire 75m Mercedes Benz GLE In Kano
How NDLEA Finally Captured Drug Kingpin Who Killed Three Officers After 12 Years on the Run
INEC Sued Over 'Missing' 55.9bn 2019 Election Funds
How NDLEA Uncovered a Massive Lekki Drug Lab and Arrested Its Saudi-Bound Owner | SEE PHOTOS
2 Billion Scandal: Inside Gavice Logistics, EFCC's Probe, and the Future of Its CEO
Popular Islamic Cleric Found Dead In Zamfara
""
— Afnews Editor