A vigilante group at Aiyetoro Kiri prevented students from being abducted
A vigilante group at Aiyetoro Kiri in Kabba Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State yesterday foiled bandits’ invasion of Kiri High School and prevented the students from being abducted.
The attack came days after bandits abducted 25 schoolgirls of Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi State, who have since been released, and over 300 students/pupils of St Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State.
This is even as the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in the 19 Northern states and FCT, Rev John Hayab, disclosed that the father of three of the children abducted in the Catholic school had died of a heart attack, following the kidnap incident.
Consequently, the national body of CAN yesterday asked the federal government to take urgent, decisive action to protect citizens across the country, insisting that the rising wave of attacks demanded an immediate and excuse-free response from the nation’s leadership.
Also, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike, yesterday vowed not to spare officials responsible for issuing an unauthorised circular ordering the closure of schools in Abuja, in view of heightened school attacks in the country.
Meanwhile, there was a rowdy session in the Senate yesterday as lawmakers engaged in heated exchanges over the worsening security situation in the country, with some senators warning that the nation was “under attack” and on the brink of losing public confidence.
Members in the House of Representatives also condemned the federal government for negotiating with bandits to secure the release of 24 students abducted from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State.
On the attack on the community school in Kogi State, members of the Kiri Vigilante Group were said to have swiftly mobilised and confronted the attackers.
The vigilante, it was learned, successfully rescued all students who were kidnapped during the assault.
Community sources told Vanguard that no student remained in captivity, following the prompt and coordinated response by the local security team.
However, the operation was said to have cost the lives of one of the vigilante members, who was killed while defending the community, and one Hausa resident who died in the rescue process.
Although efforts to reach the state police command for confirmation proved abortive, Chairman of the LGA, Zaccheus Dare Michael, confirmed the attack, saying the bandits’ attempt on the school was foiled.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Omofa John, the chairman stated: “The attention of the Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area authority has been drawn to reports circulating around social media platforms regarding the attack at the Kiri axis of Bunu District. In the interest of clarity and public understanding, we wish to formally state some facts.
“The bandits attacked, and they were resisted and repelled by our team of security men. Though there are casualties, including one hunter and one Hausa, killed by stray bullets.
“As we speak, the Joint Task Force has intensified operations with the aim of restoring confidence in the area.
“However, the government warns members of the public and those on social media to stop sending unverified news to social media; otherwise, they will be made to face the full wrath of the law.
“The joint teams of security tactical units and local vigilantes are currently combing the surrounding bushes for the bandits.
“A thorough operation is ongoing, and normalcy has been restored to the axis. The situation is under strict monitoring.”