Niger govt secures release of 18 abducted passengers

The Niger Government on Sunday said it has secured the release of 18 abducted passengers of the state Transport Authority (NSTA).

The Chief Press to Gov. Abubakar Sani-Bello, Mrs Mary Noel-Berje in a statement on Sunday, said no fewer than 18 passengers on the NSTA bus were on Feb. 14 abducted by bandits in Kundu village near Zungeru in the Yakila District of Rafi Local Government Area of the state.

The passengers were said to be heading to Minna from Kotangora when the incident happened.

However, the Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle hinted at the location of the abducted students of Government Science Secondary School, Kagara in Niger State.

“The students of Kagara are located around  Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State which I believe very soon they would be back home,” the governor said in an interview on Channels Television.

He also harped on cooperation from stakeholders and believes it is the key to unlock success in the country’s fight against criminality.

“As you are aware, the security issue needs more commitment from all stakeholders. We have two major problems of insecurity in the north with banditry and Boko Haram,” the governor elected on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) explained.

“The security operatives are doing their best but we must all put our hands on deck to succeed. Another issue is that all the leaders who are stakeholders must come to terms with the challenges at hand and speak with one voice.”

Gunmen had on Wednesday attacked the school in Kagara, killing one student and abducting others including teachers and their relatives.

In the attack which started from the staff quarters and ended in the students’ hostels, some students were also wounded by gunshots.

The gunmen gathered some staff and students at a place for hours before moving them out of the school premises to an unknown destination.

They wore military uniform and entered the school premises which has about 1000 students, overpowered the security guard, before whisking away the students and staff.