Kagara On Edge

• Gov Assures Of Imminent Freedom • Residents Anxiously Await Release Of Abductees • Gumi Urges Blanket Amnesty For Bandits

FOUR days after the attack and abduction of 42 students, staff and their relatives at Government Science College in Kagara, Rafi Council of Niger State by armed bandits, the town remained in confusion. When The Guardian visited the sleepy agrarian community yesterday, rumours of the release of the abductees added to the apprehension and anxiety of parents and relatives, who seemed confused as to whether to believe the cheering rumour or its denial by the state government. But they remain optimistic, hoping that sooner than later; their loved ones would breath the air of freedom. Meanwhile, some residents close to the school have since deserted their homes for fear of the unknown. However, normal activities was gradually picking up in some parts of the town in the midst of heavy security presence, and one can only imagine what becomes of it at nightfall.

Some residents who volunteered to speak recalled that the bandits, in military uniform, stormed the school about 2am in their large numbers, shooting into the air to scare off the students and nearby inhabitants.

Mallam Mohammadu Isa, an indigene, lamented that bandits carried out the attack for several hours unchallenged, describing the incident as sad and most unfortunate.

He recalled the abduction of over 20 passengers in a bus belonging to the state transport service returning from Kontagora last Sunday, saying the government ought to have put necessary measures in place to forestall reoccurrence.

Also speaking, a farmer, Mahmud Garba, said farmers in the area have abandoned their farms due to security threats, adding that their lives are not safe any more.

He expressed fears that prizes of foodstuffs might escalate as a result of banditry in the area and appealled to relevant security agencies to protect the lives and properties of the vulnerable.

An indigene of the town, who didn’t want his name in print, told The Guardian that bandits had earlier attacked low- cost houses twice last year, killing one person and abducting 11 others, while a third attack was on a company in area, where four persons was killed and another 11 was abducted.

He reckoned that the ease of the three attacks might have prompted the invasion of the school.

At the home, a student, Ibrahim Safiyanu, disclosed that the entire school and neighbourhood were thrown into confusion, adding: “As at 8.30pm that day, all of us student were outside the hostels up to 12.30am. We entered the hostels and refused to sleep, because we were not confortable; our mind was not at rest that night until bandits attacked us.

“Unfortunately, throughout the attack, we were left alone; nobody come to rescue us.”

Ibrahim’s elder brother, Zulkiflu Safiyanu, thanked God that Ibrahim is still alive, vowing that he would not return to the school again.

Kagara is host to refugees from neighbouring villages. Head of the camp, Umar Kamayi, a retired Police officer, appealed to government at all levels to come to their aid to enable them return to their respective homes.

Though economic activities are gradually picking up in the town, traders complained of low patronage and called on the state government to assist them with soft loans, as frequent bandit attacks have affected their businesses. All government and private schools, banks and health centres in the area remained closed. Emir of Kagara, Alhaji Salihu Tanko, charged the people to pray fervently for the safety of their lives and property, while commending the state government for its efforts to restore peace in the area.

Earlier yesterday, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello debunked the rumour that the abductees had been release, insisting that none of them had regained freedom, noting: “I can say everything is being speculated or rumoured about their release and we can’t work with rumours.”

The governor, while briefing newsmen at the Government House in Minna, yesterday, on the update of the rescue mission, however, said government was at the last stage of securing their release, adding: “The government is still negotiating and we are in the final and last stage of the negotiations.”

Bello, who spoke after a closed- door meeting with Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, at Government House, did not say exactly with whom government was negotiating, since he had earlier vowed not to pay ransom for the release of any kidnapped victim, but noted that government was interfacing with local communities, state and federal authorities to ensure the release of the abductees. He stated: “The events of the last few days have been very traumatic for us all, but I can assure families of the students and other affected victims that in a matter of hours, we will secure the release of not just the Kagara school children, but victims of the NSTA bus as well.

“We are doing everything possible to get them back safely. We don’t have anything for you for now, but we will contact you once we have any information.” On Gumi’s visit to the state, he said the cleric volunteered to assist in securing the release of the victims, including the general insecurity situation in the state, saying: “Gumi offered to assist. He came back this morning and has to leave immediately, because has an engagement in Abuja.

“We agreed that he will send me a comprehensive memo on his findings during his visit to the bandits dean.