Bandits target children in renewed onslaught in N’West, N’East

…CSOs urge deployment of service chiefs to hot spots

…Action cowardly, says FG, assures of safe release of victims

BY IDIBIA GABRIEL & UKPONO UKPONG

Barely 48 hours after the abduction 287 pupils and teachers of Government Secondary School and LEA Primary School at Kuriga, Kaduna State on Thursday, bandits, in another renewed onslaught against children on Saturday morning kidnapped another unspecified number of students in fresh attacks in Sokoto State.

According to reports the school children were abducted from their school around 1am on Saturday, in Tsangaya Sokoto State.

The proprietor of the school, Liman Abubakar, said 15 students were unaccounted for, so far but “We are still counting”, he said, and also revealed that the bandits invaded the town around 1am, shot one person, while a woman was abducted.

“As they were leaving the town, they sighted our students rushing into their rooms and they kidnapped many of them. We have so far counted 15 who are missing and we are still searching for more,” he said.

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Abubakar added that this was not the first time the village was attacked by bandits. The member, representing Gada-East Constituency at the state House of Assembly, Kabiru Dauda, while confirming the attack, said he received a call from the village around 2am that it had been invaded by bandits.

“I reached out to the local government authorities and security agencies and I am sure they are doing something about it,” he said.

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It was also gathered that the bandits attacked and killed three persons at Turba village in Isa Local Government Area of the state, including the village head.

A member representing, Isa Constituency, Habibu Modachi who confirmed the incident, believed it was a reprisal after security operatives raided bandits’ hideouts two days ago.

The spokesman of the Sokoto State Police Command, ASP Ahmad Rufa’i, said he was not aware of the development but he would contact the Divisional Police Officer of the local government areas and get back to our reporter”, the reported added.

In a related development, the Kaduna situation worsened with bandits operations escalating as two worshippers have been reportedly killed in mosque during Friday prayers at Anguwar Makera under Kwasakwasa Community in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The incident which happened around 2 pm on Friday, according to the locals in the bandits ridden LGA of Kaduna State, came barely few days after Kuriga school pupils abduction of 287, and Gonin Gora invasion, killing and abduction of residents.

A community leader, Hudu Kwasakwasa, who confirmed the incident, said the bandits opened fire on the worshipers.

“The two worshippers killed were among other Muslims attacked at the Juma’at Mosque in Angwar Makera when the bandits opened fire on them and abducted others on Friday. The victims have been buried at Old Kuyello cemetery,” he said.

He said the people were in the second Raka’at of the Salat when they were attacked, which forced the remaining people to run for their lives from the mosque.

Reactions have equally been trailing the renewed attacks by bandits. Human Rights Lawyer and convener of Concerned Nigerians group, Comrade Adeyanju Deji has called on President Bola Tinubu to direct all Service Chiefs to relocate to Kaduna and Borno, where about 800 children and women were brutally abducted by bandits in the last one week.

Adeyanju in a statement, also condemned the recent invasion of a mosque in Kaduna by terrorists yesterday, resulting in the tragic loss of innocent lives.

“The abduction of about 800 children and women is a heinous crime that is completely unacceptable. It is a tragic reminder of the worsening security situation in Nigeria, particularly in the northern part of the country.

“The lives of these young students and women are at stake, and it is imperative that swift and decisive action be taken to secure their safe release.”

“It is our firm belief that the presence of the Service Chiefs in Kaduna and Borno state will demonstrate the government’s commitment to the safety and security of its citizens. It will provide reassurance to the affected community and serve as a symbol of resolve in combating these acts of terror.”

“I also propose that the Service Chiefs should not return to Abuja until tangible progress is made in rescuing the abducted students and women. This measure will ensure that the situation receives the utmost attention and resources required for a swift resolution.”

Adeyanju acknowledged that the fight against terrorism and insecurity is a complex and multifaceted task. However, it is crucial that the government demonstrates its unwavering commitment to protecting the lives and well-being of its citizens.

He called on President Tinubu to take immediate action and deploy all necessary resources to secure the safe return of the abducted students, women and restore peace and security in the country.