After the abduction of more than 300 boys from the Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina State, Northwest Nigeria, a top Nigerian security expert has revealed fresh information about what ensued.
Kabir Adamu, a Nigerian security expert said on Village Square Africa on News Central that one of the boys who was released by the abductors revealed that the attackers, believed to be bandits, ignorantly asked for the whereabouts of the girls.
Adamu said the abductors thought it was a mixed school, as they also asked for the students whose parents are rich.
This information is coming just hours after Boko Haram faction led by Abubakar Shekau claimed responsibility for the abduction of the boys.
Adamu said he’s not surprised that Boko Haram laid claim, but expressed doubts about its veracity.
He added that the boys are believed to be in Rugu Forest currently, where the bandits are hiding in the Sahels, and revealed that the military is working to stop the advancement of the bandits.
The Rugu Forest is open to Niger Republic, Niger State, Kaduna State, and Central Nigeria and an advancement by the terrorists may lead to a division of the boys into smaller fragments, which will make the rescue operations of the military more difficult.
Adamu said the longer the boys stay with the bandits, the more difficult it gets for the military to stop the division of the boys.
He advised President Muhammadu Buhari to take control, liberate the kidnapped school boys and hold someone responsible for yet another abduction. Adamu advised Buhari to show empathy and reassure the parents of the safety of their children.
One of the abducted boys’ parent, Faridah Tukur told News Central that her son, Ahmad Aminu, 14 is still with the bandits and she was called by the Principal of the school to ask if he has returned. Ms. Aminu revealed that the abductors have not called them and they don’t know anyone who’s close to the bandits.
She said the Principal asked them to keep being on the watch for their son and pray for their safety.