18 ZAMFARA ABDUCTED STUDENTS RELEASED
The Zamfara State Government, has secured the release of 18 students at the state College of Agricultural and Animal Sciences Bakura, abducted by unknown gunmen recently.
The gunmen had in Aug. 16, abducted students, and staff of the College in Bakura Local Government Area of the state.
Presenting the released abductees to Governor. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, at the Government House Gusau, on Friday, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Ayuba Elkana, said the victims were rescued through the peace dialogue initiated by the present administration in the state.
“We may recall that the students were abducted and kept with the bandits 12 days ago.
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“They were rescued through the peace dialogue initiated by Governor Bello Matawalle, without paying any kobo as ransom.
“I am happy to hand over the released students and staff to his excellency governor today, “the CP said.
The Police Commissioner commended all stakeholders who assisted in the rescue of the students.
Responding, Governor Matawalle commended the state peace and reconciliation committee for achieving the success.
“We thank Allah the almighty, for having this staff and students back
“As we all know, my administration initiated peace and reconciliation with the bandits, as parts of the measures to address security challenges facing the state.
“We used the dialogue through the repentant bandits and rescue this staff and children”, he explained.
Matawalle lamented the worsening banditry activities in the state.
“You know, recently I called for declaration of state of emergency in Northern Nigeria to tackle the security challenges affecting our people.
“Because we cannot continue to wait until they finish our people.
“All the released abductees will undergo medical checkup before they will be handed over to their families”, he said.
He reiterated that his administration would continue to implement stick and carrot measures in fighting banditry activities in the state.
Matawalle thanked President Muhammad Buhari for the deployment of military troops in the state.
“We hope Inshallahu, with these measures very soon, the security challenges will end in Zamfara.
“We are going to introduce new drastic measures to tackle insecurity affecting our people.
“I called on the people of the state to comply with any decision or measures by the government and security agencies, to address the challenges”, he added.
