JUST IN : Niger directs closure of boarding schools in security affected areas

About 27 Students, three staff and 12 members of a family were abducted in the Wednesday morning attack on Government Science College, Kagara in Rafi local government of Niger state.

Niger State Governor, Abubakar Bello has also ordered the immediate closure of boarding schools in bandits ravaged communities in the state until further notice.

Solacebase reports that most of the schools affected are in Rafi, Mariga, Munya and Shiroro local government areas of the state.

The governor gave the directive on Wednesday while speaking with journalists following the attack on Govt Science  Secondary school Kagara earlier today around 2.00 am.

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He said that one student, Benjamin Doma, was shot dead in the attack.

Gov. Abubakar Bello also confirmed the video making rounds in the state of the bandits celebrating the abduction of the passengers of the NSTA bus that was attacked on Sunday where they demand N500 million.

Bello said that the government will not pay ransom to the bandits stressing that it is not the policy of the government to pay a ransom as the bandits use the money to buy sophisticated weapons and cause further harm.

“It is not in our policy as a government to pay ransom to bandits because we have noticed that they use this money to buy arms and ammunition. However, the government will be ready to support and assist repentant bandits.”

He said that the government is concerned over the recent bandit attacks in the state which have now become more brazen and daring.

He asked for immediate intervention from the federal government to rescue the students and other abducted persons from the hands of the bandits.