December 18, 2020: More than 300 boys who were abducted last week from Government Science Secondary School (GSSS) Kankara are reported to have been released. Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari, on December 17 confirmed the release in an interview.
In an interview with Nigeria Television Network (NTA), Aminu Masari announced that students held hostage in a forest in Zamfara State were released after negotiations with their abductors.
The spokesperson to the President Muhammadu Buhari, Garba Shehu, said on Twitter that the president welcomed the release of students.
“President Muhammadu Buhari has welcomed release of kidnapped students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina State, describing their safe return as a big relief to their families, the entire country and international community,” he tweeted.
Mr Garba Shehu also informed on twitter that President Buhari lauded the collaborative efforts between the government of Katsina, Zamfara and the military. He called the release of students a result of “spirit of partnership and the collaborative efforts of the government of Katsina, Zamfara and military leading to the release.’’
“The Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, and the army worked extremely hard. As soon as I got the information I congratulated them. The Armed Forces know their job. They have been well trained and properly motivated,” tweeted Mr Shehu.
President Buhari also commended the nation’s intelligence agencies, the military and police force for providing the environment for safe release of the hostages.
Boko Haram had claimed responsibility for kidnappings in an audio file sent to a newspaper. However, some blamed the bandits operating in the region.
The fear of violence has exacerbated after the recent incidence as the number of violent incidents are increasing in Nigeria. The North East region of Nigeria has been broiled in conflict for many years. Since 2009, Boko Haram or Jama’tu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad has caused havoc in the region. The Nigerian government and military mobilized against the militant organisations between 2015 and 2018. However, the violence hasn’t subsided and has reported to have increased since 2018.
Addressing concerns of the citizens over the safety and security situation President Buhari assured that his administration is aware of its responsibility. He referred to the successes of his administration in dealing with security in the South South and North East.
President Buhari’s spokesperson said, “On the issue of detainees held elsewhere in the country by either terrorists or bandits, the President gave assurances that his administration is aware of its responsibility to protect the life and property of the Nigerians.”
