THE Kaduna State Government has confirmed that about 30 students were abducted from the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka, in Igabi Local Government Area of the state.
The Commissioner for Internal Security, Samuel Aruwan, who disclosed this to journalists on Friday morning at the College gate, however, noted that troops of the Nigerian Army rescued 180 people, many of them students.
He said the bandits, in their numbers, stormed the college, located opposite Premier Military University, Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, around 11.30pm on Thursday.
Many disturbed parents were seen on Friday morning at the college. They were there to enquire about the safety of their children.
The Commissioner said, “Troops of the Nigerian Army in the early hours of today, Friday, 12th March 2021 rescued 180 citizens, many of them students, at the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
“The armed bandits in large number had attacked the institution at around 11:30pm on Thursday and kidnapped several students and staff. The armed bandits broke into the institution by breaching a perimeter fence. They then encroached about 600 meters to attack the first facility.”
He added, “The Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, on receiving a distress call, alerted the 1 Division Nigerian Army and the Air Training Command of the Nigerian Air Force.
“Troops of the Nigerian Army immediately moved to the school and engaged the armed bandits accordingly. The troops successfully rescued 180 citizens – 42 female students, eight staff and 130 male students.”
“However, about 30 students, a mix of males and females, have yet to be accounted for. Some of the rescued students were injured and presently receiving medical attention at a military facility,” the state government said.
