by In the early hours of Wednesday morning, gunmen stormed Government Science College, Kagara, in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State. One student was killed during the attack and 42 other persons, including students and teachers, were kidnapped.
In response to the attack, President Muhammadu Buhari directed security forces to ensure the safe return of the kidnapped persons. and the Niger State Government ordered the immediate closure of all boarding schools in the bandit ravaged areas of the state.
The Kagara assault is the latest on schools across the country. Gunmen have previously abducted students from Kankara in Katsina State, Dapchi in Yobe State, and Chibok in Borno State. Many are still in captivity.
It also highlights the poor state of security nationwide as the police, military, and other agencies struggle to stretch finite resources.
Senate: Members of the red chamber asked the President to declare a state of emergency on insecurity in the country.
NGF: The Governors Forum met behind closed doors at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja to discuss the state of insecurity in the country.
Perspective: A Niger State Senator, Sani Musa, said the gunmen were not bandits but terrorists. And a security consultant, Gen. John Temlong, said the payment of ransom leads to the fueling and arming of terrorism.
