Zamfara State shuts schools as Police confirm abduction of 73 students

02 Sep Zamfara State shuts schools as Police confirm abduction of 73 students

Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, yesterday ordered the immediate closure of all primary and secondary schools across the 14 local government areas of the state following the abduction of students of Government Day Secondary School, Kaya, in Maradun Local Government Area

The Zamfara State Police has confirmed the abduction of 73 students by bandits.

In a statement by the command’s spokesman, SP Shehu Mohammed the abduction followed the invasion of the school by a large number of armed bandits that occurred today at exactly 1122hrs.

“The Command under the leadership of CP Ayuba N Elkanah has deployed search and rescue team that was mandated to work in synergy with the military to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted students

“The CP further appealed to the general public especially parents and relatives of the abducted students to exercise patience and continue to pray for the success of the ongoing rescue operation.

“Security has also been beefed up at Kaya Village and environ to forestall a further attack on the communities.

“Further development will be made known to members of the public,” the statement declared.

Governor Matawale said the schools would be closed until security improves.

“It’s a threat, you know the bandits will like to go back to kidnap these students, so for their safety, the schools have to be closed until peace is restored in the state,” he added.

The commissioner of police also said the police are yet to confirm the number of those abducted.

He also said the government had restricted movement from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. in 13 local government areas. However, for Gusau, the state capital, movement restriction will be from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.