Six of the 24 students of the Federal University of Gusau, Zamfara State, kidnapped in the early hours of Friday (today) have been rescued.
A top military source close to the Commander of 1st Brigade Nigerian Army, Gusau, confirmed this to our correspondent following the bandits’ invasion of the Sabon-Gida community of Bungudu Local Government Area.
He said the Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Sani Ahmed, is currently leading the operation with other security agencies in the forest along the Tsafe Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
The source also confirmed that several bandits were neutralized during the ongoing operation, with some weapons recovered.
Earlier, a student of the school, who asked to be anonymous for security reasons, told Channels Television that over 24 schoolmates, mostly ladies, were abducted during the attack.
A resident of Sabon-Gida identified as Nazeer Sabon-Gida also confirmed that the gunmen invaded the community around 3 a.m. and started shooting indiscriminately.
According to him, three students’ hostels were attacked, and all the students in the hostels were taken away by the bandits.
In a related development, the Zamfara State Police Command confirmed the abduction of the students.
The spokesperson for the command, ASP Yazid Abubakar, said in a telephone conversation on Friday said the command has yet to confirm the number of students abducted.
He also confirmed that the rescue operation was ongoing.