Niger promises to intensify rescue efforts as residents report sighting of Islamiyya children

The Niger government says efforts are being intensified to ensure the safe rescue of children abducted from Salihu Tanko Islamiyya School in the state.

In May, more than 100 children were abducted from the school, located in Tegina, Rafi LGA.

But according to residents, the children have been sighted in recent times, being conveyed on motorcycles.

Jibrin Abdullahi, youth president of Allawa, Shiroro LGA of Niger state, claimed that the abducted pupils were recently seen with their abductors along Lakpa axis in Shiroro LGA.

Speaking with TheCable over the weekend, the youth president said other residents have also sighted the bandits with the children on several motorcycles along Maganda, Wutare, and Rafinsanyi areas in Shiroro LGA.

“Our attention was drawn by our locals about the movement of bandits carrying schoolchildren around Lakpma axis of Shiroro local government area. The criminals crossed Maganda junction along Allawa-Pandogari road on Thursday,” Abdullahi said.

“Those who saw the children said they were looking malnourished and pathetic.”

He said the bandits shot one Jamilu Madaki, a resident, when they passed through Wutare community, adding that the development has been reported to relevant authorities.

“Having heard all this information, we have been in touch with relevant authorities, but unfortunately no visible proactive measure has been taken,” he said.

He called on the government to deploy security forces to the area so that the children can be rescued.

Sadi Mohammed, a resident of Allawa community, also said he saw the children along Allawa-Rafin Sanyi area, with several children loaded on motorcycles.

“The children were not looking healthy. Some of them were even falling from the motorcycles,” Mohammed said.

Speaking on the development to TheCable, Mary Noel-Berje, spokesperson to the Niger governor, said the case is being closely monitored so that the children can be rescued very soon.

Noel-Berje said she has not been informed of the children being sighted recently, but noted that the government is working on ensuring the safe return of the victims.

“The government has been putting in efforts to ensure the children are rescued. Efforts are still ongoing,” she said.

“I’m not too informed of the development, but I know that they are closely monitored to ensure that the children are rescued.

“It is the hope of everyone. You as an individual, how do you feel? So, it is the hope of everyone, the government especially, who is left with the task of ensuring their safety.”