..As journalists barred from entry, disguised
By Gabriel Udeh, Kaduna
A new facts have emerged that about 300 people including students were kidnapped during bandits invasion at federal college of forestry Mechanization in Mando kaduna State Thursday night, while only 180 left behind due to space problem were evacuated.
Although many journalists were deliberately barred from entering the real college premises and hostel, some staffs who later interacted with media men confided that the school was in full session because exams was scheduled for next weeks.
The staffs sources also revealed that more female students were kidnapped by the bandits than the male students for reason they could not explain.
Recalled that only few journalists had their ways into the premises while others had to disguised as parents as those who appeared with their identity card were barred and strictly warned to stay away alleging an order from above.
Government OffiGabr by by the state internal security commissioner Mr Samuel Aruwan stated that the invaded Federal College of Forestry Mechanization and abducted uncountable number of people with 180 rescued and several students missing.
Further information received revealed the bandits only break through a wall at outskirts of the college fends and no much damaged to the college properties as quoted by official report.
The incident occurred in Afaka, Mando in Igabi Local Government Area of kaduna, state, few meters from the Nigerian Defense Academy (NDA) Kaduna.
A statement issued on Friday by Mr Samuel Aruwan, averred that troops of the Nigerian Army rescued 180 citizens, many of them students, in the early hours of Friday, 12th March 2021,
According to the release, the armed bandits in large number had attacked the institution at around 11:30pm on Thursday and kidnapped several students and staff.
“The armed bandits broke into the institution by breaching a perimeter fence. They then encroached about 600 meters to attack the first facility.
“The Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs on receiving a distress call, alerted the 1 Division Nigerian Army and the Air Training Command of the Nigerian Air Force.
“Troops of the Nigerian Army immediately moved to the school and engaged the armed bandits accordingly.
“The troops successfully rescued 180 citizens; 42 female students, eight staff and 130 male students. However, about 30 students, a mix of males and females, are yet to be accounted for”, it stated.
Some of the rescued students, according to the release, were injured and presently receiving medical attention at a military facility.
“Receiving the report, Governor Nasir El-Rufai thanked the troops for their swift response and the rescue of the 180 citizens. He also wished the injured students a speedy recovery.
“As at the time of this update, a combined team of Army, Air Force, Police and DSS troops are conducting an operation to track the missing students”, it stated.
The commissioner also stated the Citizens would be updated on emerging developments on the attached.
Earlier reports revealed that the bandit attacked the College and abducted 20 students mostly female.
