Kuriga town in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State has been plunged into panic and chaos following an armed bandit attack on LEA Primary School, Kuriga (1) school students. The assailants abducted a significant number of pupils and teachers, leaving the community in anguish.
The exact count of abducted individuals remains uncertain, creating an atmosphere of fear and concern among residents. Early estimates suggest that the number could be as high as 100, with the headteacher of the school and several other staff members reportedly among the victims.
The distressing event unfolded at 8:20 am immediately after the morning assembly on Thursday, as armed bandits seized control of the school premises. Daily Trust reported that most pupils fled from their classrooms upon spotting the attackers, amplifying the panic in the area.
As the community grapples with this horrifying development, there has been no official reaction from the state government at the time of this report. The lack of immediate response adds to the distress of the affected families and raises questions about the security situation in the region.
Prominent figures are beginning to voice their concerns over the escalating insecurity in Kaduna State. Former Kaduna senator, Shehu Sani, expressed his anger at the incident, acknowledging the challenges faced by the community. He expressed optimism about the eventual freedom of the abducted individuals, even as he highlighted the recurring nature of such attacks in the region.
This tragic event adds to the broader security crisis that Nigeria has been grappling with for years. Armed gangs, well-equipped and highly dangerous, continue to wreak havoc in northern regions, leaving a trail of kidnapped individuals and a rising death toll. The situation has made travel and farming unsafe in some areas, compounding the challenges faced by security agencies already engaged in addressing various conflicts across the country.
As the nation comes to terms with yet another devastating incident, the urgent need for comprehensive security measures and government intervention becomes more evident than ever.