Katsina State governor, Aminu Bello Masari, yesterday, said that the gunmen who attacked Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, and kidnapped schoolboys have been contacted and were negotiating the boys’ freedom through the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN.
About 17 of the schoolboys have escaped and returned to their families. He denied that any of the abducted students had died.
Also, security and local sources have told AFP that Boko Haram recruited three local gangs to kidnap hundreds of Government Secondary Science School, GSSS, Kankara, Katsina State.
The jihadist group had claimed responsibility for Friday’s abduction of well over 300 students.
This came as parents of students, yesterday, said thy would be coming to the school everyday until their children returned home safely.
In another development, the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has described the students’ abduction as another tragic chapter in the history of the country occasioned by the criminal activities of some hoodlums amidst the people, who now operate, in recent times, with impunity as if our security agencies are on holiday.
Also, the leadership of the Coalition of Northern Groups, CNG, has relocated to Katsina town to push for the release of abducted students still under captivity.
Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters, DHQ, has said there was no cause to worry over the safety of President Muhammadu Buhari in Katsina State. Coordinator of Defence Media Operations, John Enenche stated this when he featured on Arise TV, yesterday.
Also, the Military High Command disclosed, yesterday that troops would not sleep until they ensure that all the abducted students were rescued.
‘We’re in talks with the abductors through Miyetti Allah’
Speaking in an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, yesterday, Governor Masari of Katsina State said his administration is in discussions with the suspected abductors through the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN.
He said: “We are discussing through the leadership of MACBAN, Miyetti Allah with those suspected to have carried out the abduction and I had a meeting with the Commissioner of Police and heads of security agencies two or three hours ago.
“There are talks. It is not about who is in charge, but what is of paramount concern to me as the chief security officer of the state is that these students return home safely and this is what we are talking about.
“It is natural for patents to be angry, but I as the state governor, I will answer for my deeds here and beyond. So, I am more concerned about the rescue of the children and safety of people of the state.”
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