Bagudu: We got intel of bandits’ movement — but security operatives were overpowered

Atiku Bagudu, governor of Kebbi, says from reports he has received, the “bandits” who attacked the Federal Government College, Birnin Yauri, came in their hundreds.

Gunmen, on Thursday, invaded the school and kidnapped a yet-to-be-confirmed number of students and teachers.

In a joint operation in the early hours of Friday, security operatives rescued two teachers and five students.

While addressing parents of the kidnapped students on Friday, Bagudu explained that the state heard about bandits’ movement around the school weeks before the attack, and deployed additional security operatives.

He, however, noted that the gunmen overpowered the officers.

In a statement by Yahaya Sarki, spokesman to the Kebbi governor, Bagudu assured the parents that efforts are on to ensure the safe rescue of the remaining victims.

“The state government will do everything humanly possible to bring these children and the staff back safely,” he said.

“Since this unfortunate incident occurred, all hands are on the deck to ensure that these our children and the staff are rescued alive, hale and hearty.

“This abduction was a brazen and tragic incident, where bandits confronted the policemen who were providing security to the school. Unfortunately, they made away with some students and teachers. It is an unfortunate incident.

“About two weeks ago, there was the news of bandits’ movement and they were sighted around this area. We consulted with the federal authorities here who told us that the school has about two weeks to finish its terminal examinations. It was agreed that if security can be stationed in the school, it is better to support the children to finish their examinations before going home.”

Bagudu added that the police commissioner had deployed 22 security operatives from the special anti-terrorism task force, prior to the attack.

“They were around even during the attack yesterday. Unfortunately, they were overpowered, because on different accounts, the bad elements came in hundreds,” he said.

“These children are all ours and we are obliged to pray to seek for their safe return. I am glad that the parents who also spoke expressed courage.

“They have also acknowledged that the security agents did the best they could and they are still doing their very best, Equally, the school authorities, principal, teachers and other staff. By God’s grace, our children will come back to us.”