We still have the students of Kagara in the hands of the bandits – Bello

Governor Sani Bello of Niger State says the victims abducted at Government Science College, Kagara, Niger State, have not been released.

At a press conference in Minna, the state capital, on Sunday night, the governor said efforts were being made to rescue them unhurt.

“We still have the students of Kagara in the hands of the bandits and everything is being done to secure their release soonest,” the governor said.

A total of 27 students, 12 staff members and nine of their relatives were whisked away after gunmen in military uniform raided hostels and the school’s staff quarters.

President Muhammadu Buhari had ordered security agencies to secure their release immediately but the victims have been in captivity four days after.

On Saturday, Alhaji Ibrahim Matane, Secretary to the Niger State Government, had told Daily Trust that the discussion with the bandits was ongoing.

“We can’t rush them (bandits) even if we have time, we can’t dictate to them. I believe they are taking their time but at the appropriate time, when we have other information, the public will know,” he had said.