Hashtags, reactions, gunfights, recovery and more trailing the Kankara students abduction

See the latest reactions going on all around following the kidnapping of about 800 students in a school in Kankara, Katsina State. 

On the night of Friday 11th December 2020, news sources in Nigeria reported the abduction of an unspecified number of students from the Government Science secondary school in Kankara district, northwestern Katsina State.

At first, the Policemen at the scene had exchanged fire with the ‘bandits’ which allowed some students to escape. Gambo Isah, a police spokesperson said;

“The bandits came on motorcycles firing sporadically and tried to enter the school. Our men with the assistance of the army engaged them in a shoot-out lasting one and a half hours.”

Eventually, the ‘bandits’ succeeded in abducting some of the Kankara students. While the specific number is not yet available, Reuters reported that a parent and a school employee estimated that about half of the school’s 800 students went missing after the attack.

Some news sources claim that the number of students that returned to the town after the initial gunfight on Friday was about 200.

Read also: Sanwo-Olu goes into self-isolation as aide tests positive

The next day, on Saturday 12th December 2020, Buhari claimed that the military had tracked the ‘bandits’ to a forest. He said that the military were engaging the miscreants in a gun battle.

“I strongly condemn the cowardly bandits’ attack on innocent children at the Science School, Kankara. Our prayers are with the families of the students, the school authorities and the injured,” President Buhari said.

While the President has mentioned that the military has air support in their ongoing shootout; the police also said it would deploy additional forces to search and rescue the missing children.

The reaction from Nigerians at large has been furious. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which is the main opposition party has taken a swipe at the President. In a statement, through its national publicity secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, it says;

“The abduction happened right under Mr. President’s nose; in his home state, where he had gone holidaying.”

Several hashtags such as #SecureTheNorth has resurfaced due to the Kankara students abduction. New ones such as #BringBackOurBoys and #SecureNigeria are also gaining popularity.

The Kankara students abduction follows a trail of violence in the Northern part of Nigeria. Recently, about 43 farmers were slain in Zambarmari Massacre, Borno State. These quickfire happenings has left many in a state of constant fear and paranoia.

Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State has orderdered that all schools in the region stay closed during this time.