Military, Police At Variance Over Figures Of Rescued Islamiyya Students

'Dotun Akintomide
Writer

Ad

5 Countries That Offer Loans For Buying Property Overseas

Securing a mortgage for the purpose of buying property overseas is possible in select countries. It’s true that it can be more challenging, as many foreign banks are cautious about lending to non-residents. It’s also true that the terms will likely be different from what you’re used to, especially if you’re American. Don’t expect a…

The Need for Nigeria to Lead Africa in the Emerging Age of Artificial Intelligence

By Sonny Iroche Introduction: Standing at the Threshold of the Fourth Industrial Revolution The world is on the cusp of a seismic transformation driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI). Just as steam engines powered the first Industrial Revolution, electricity and mechanization the second, and digital computing the third, AI is the defining force of the Fourth…

Why Wike Should Resign or Be Sacked: A Call to Organized Civil Society in Nigeria to Uphold Anti-corruption Standards with Consistency, By Frank Tietie

By Frank Tietie The revelations by Nigerian social crusader, investigative journalist, and activist Omoyele Sowore regarding the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyiesome Wike, are serious and warrant the attention of all Nigerians who care about the integrity of the country. Sowore has alleged that Wike laundered funds and concealed the purchase of…

Ad

  • We Rescued 80 Students — Police; Military Claims 39 Girls Were Rescued

The Nigerian Military and the Nigerian Police Force in an attempt to quickly take glory for the rescue of some kidnapped Islamiyya students in Katsina, have been singing discordant tunes on the number of students rescued from the armed bandits.

The students of Hizburrahim Islamiyya, Mahuta village, of Dandume local government area were kidnapped late Saturday, but were quickly rescued by security operatives.

This latest mass kidnapping of children occurred barely two days after the abducted 344 Kankara Schoolboys, also in Katsina, regained freedom after spending six days in their captors’ custody, Thursday.

But the Army and police have been giving conflicting figures of the children rescued. While the police said they rescued 80 students, 12 cows; the army said it rescued 39 girls and eight cows.

A statement issued by the Katsina Police Command spokesman, SP Gambo Isa said: “On 19/12/2020 at about 2200hrs,  a distress call was received by DPO Dandume,  that some Islamiyya Students of Hizburrahim Islamiyya, Mahuta village, Dandume LGA of Katsina state, numbering about eighty (80), while on their way back from Maulud Occassion celebrated at Unguwan Alkasim village, Dandume to Mahuta, were accosted by bandits who had already kidnapped four(4) persons and rustled twelve (12) cows from Danbaure village, Funtua LGA, trying to escape into the forest.

“On receipt of the report, the DPO led Operations Puff Adder, Sharan Daji and a vigilante group to the area and engaged the bandits into a fierce gun duel.

“Subsequently, the teams succeeded in dislodging the bandits and rescued all the kidnapped victims and recovered all the twelve rustled cows. Search parties are still combing the area with a view of arresting the injured bandits and/or recovery of their dead bodies. Investigation is on-going.”

However, the military said it rescued 39 girls from the bandits.

In a statement made available to journalists by the Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Major General John Eneche, the military stated that: “On 19 December 2020 at about 1030 pm, troops deployed at Dandume village received credible intelligence that suspected bandits moving with suspected rustled cattle intercepted and abducted some Islamiyya school children mostly girls returning to Mahuta village from  Maulud programme at  Unguwar al-Kasim village in Dandume LGA, Katsina State.  Troops in conjunction with the Police and vigilantes from Mahuta village immediately mobilised to the scene.

“Troops encountered the bandits at Unguwar Audu village and engaged them in a fierce battle who escaped with gunshot wounds and abandoned the kidnapped children and rustled cattle. Troops rescued 39 girls and recovered 8 rustled cattle with no casualty on troops and the kidnapped victims. All kidnapped are back to their homes in good health.”

Ad

Unlocking Opportunities in the Gulf of Guinea during UNGA80
X whatsapp