Kaduna attack: Missing pupils found, says commissioner

The Kaduna government says two pupils initially declared missing following an attack an UBE primary school in Rama, Birnin-Gwari LGA of the state, have been found.

TheCable had reported how gunmen invaded the school in the early hours of Monday, after which some teachers and pupils were declared missing.

Speaking at a media briefing on Monday, Samuel Aruwan, Kaduna commissioner for internal security and home affairs, said three teachers — Rabiu Salisu, Umar Hassan, and Bala Adamu — were abducted from the school.

He added that two pupils who were missing after the attack have been found.

“At this time, the state government has compiled and analysed all the security reports and can confirm that there was indeed an invasion of the said school,” Aruwan said.

“The government can confirm that three teachers — Rabiu Salisu, Umar Hassan, and Bala Adamu — have been kidnapped.

“Pupils who had just arrived the school to begin the day’s activities, took to their heels in the course of the commotion, as the bandits invaded the premises on motorcycles.

“This led to two pupils going missing — identified as Ahmad Halilu and Kabiru Yahaya. However, we are happy to inform you that the two missing pupils have been found.

“We can also confirm that no single pupil was kidnapped from the school. Other than the three teachers previously mentioned, no staff or pupil of the school is missing following the attack.”

Aruwan, however, added that the bandits rustled several cattle and went away with five motorcycles and other valuables.

He said the military and other security agencies are trailing the gunmen to ensure that the three kidnapped persons are rescued safely.

In another development, the commissioner noted that troops of the Nigerian army on patrol in Faka, Chikun LGA, rescued a boy wandering in the forest.

He said the boy, identified as Adewale Rasaq, was kidnapped over a week ago in the Kudenden area of Chikun LGA, and escaped from his captors while his parents were negotiating the payment of about N15 million to the bandits.

The commissioner also said troops rescued a girl identified as Fatima Lawal from a forest around Kachia and Kauru LGA.

He said the the two persons will be handed over to their families through the chairmen of Chikun and Kauru LGAs, respectively.