Admin l Thursday, December 17, 2020
KATSINA, Nigeria – About 344 students kidnapped by Boko Haram insurgents from Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina State have been released, Katsina State Governor, Mr. Aminu Bello Masari has said.
“At the moment, 344 of the students have been handed over to security agents. I think we have recovered most of the boys, if not all of them”, Masari told Katsina State Television. However, Shekau, the leader of the radical Islamic sect, Boko Haram had claimed in a video that about 500 students were kidnapped.
Reacting to the development, President Muhammadu Buhari described safe return of the boys as a big relief to their families, the entire country and international community. President Buhari expressed the nation’s appreciation for the steps taken by all involved to make their release possible.
President Buhari specifically cited what he called the “spirit of partnership and the collaborative efforts of the government of Katsina, Zamfara and military leading to the release.’’
He commended the nation’s intelligence agencies, the military and police force for providing the environment for safe release of the hostages. Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, and the army worked extremely hard. As soon as I got the information I congratulated them. The Armed Forces know their job. They have been well trained and properly motivated.
On the issue of detainees held elsewhere in the country by either terrorists or bandits, the President gave assurances that his administration is aware of its responsibility to protect the life and property of the Nigerians.
President Buhari urged the citizens to be patient and fair to the administration as it deals with the problems of security, economy and corruption.
