Confusion As Gunmen Kidnap 6 School Pupils In Nasarawa

There was confusion in Alwaza community of Doma local government area of Nasarawa State as no fewer than six pupils have been kidnapped from the Local Education Authority (LEA) Primary School, Alwaza, on Friday.

This is even as the State Police Command said only two pupils were kidnapped on their way to school, and not six pupils.

A source in the community, who pleaded anonymity told our correspondent that the incident occurred at 7am when other pupils of the school were still arriving.

He said, “The entire incident is very confusing. We never expected that such a thing could happen in our community.

“The school children, about six of them were kidnapped by the heavily armed men and they took them to an unknown destination.

“As residents of the community, we could not do anything to rescue them because the criminals were well armed but we informed the police about the development and I believe that they will make efforts to rescue the kidnapped pupils.”

Meanwhile, the State Police Public Relations Officer(PPRO), DSP Ramhan Nansel, has debunked the claim that six pupils of the LEA primary school, Alwaza, were kidnapped from the school premises.

He explained that only two pupils were kidnapped by the gunmen. They include two boys of seven and eight year-olds respectively, adding that they were on their way to school when the sad incident occured.

The PPRO, however, said as soon as the police received the information, the Commissioner of Police, Maiyaki Baba, led officers of the command, vigilante groups and other security services to the scene of the attack.

He said, “The information I have is that two boys between age 7 and 8 were the ones taken away on their way to school at LEA primary school, Alwaza village.

“On receipt of the information at 7:10am today, a joint team led by the Commissioner of Police comprising of the Police, Military and Vigilante were mobilised to the scene of the attack to rescue the kidnapped pupils and track down the criminals.

“We are still on the trail of the abductors and we promise to do everything within our powers to address the situation.”

While calling on residents of Alwaza community to go about their lawful businesses without any fear, the PPRO appealed to them to report any unusual face seen in the area to the nearest police station.