The Katsina State Government is negotiating with kidnappers who abducted over 300 schoolboys in Kankara area of the state last weekend, Aminu Masari, the state governor has said.
Last week Friday, unknown gunmen stormed Government Science Secondary School in Kankara Local Government Area, a boarding school in the state and abducted the students.
A faction of Boko Haram, the terrorist group that has killed thousands and displaced millions claims to be responsible for the latest attack, a repeat of a similar abduction in 2014 when schoolgirls were abducted in Chibok, Borno State.
Confirming the attack, the governor said over three hundred students were still missing after the attack. Speaking with Channels Television yesterday, he confirmed the abductors have made contacts for ransom.
He said his administration is talking with the kidnappers on the safe return of the abducted students through the leadership of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) who are mostly accused of being behind insecurity bedeviling the nation.
“We are discussing through the leadership of MACBAN, Miyetti Allah with those suspected to have carried out the abduction. I had a meeting with the Commissioner of Police and heads of security agencies two or three hours ago,” Masari told the broadcast station.
“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 Ias the state governor, I will answer for my deeds here and beyond. So, I am more concerned about the rescue of the children and the safety of people of the state,” the governor added.
Aside condemning the abduction of students, President Muhammadu Buhari who is in the state is yet to visit grieving parents but instead went to his cow farm for inspection.
Meanwhile, the coalition of Northern Groups protested today demanding the unconditional release of the kidnapped students.
They also called for the sack of service chiefs but as usual, the president’s body language indicates he will overlook that having done so severally including ignoring that of the Nigerian Senate that has done so thrice.
