BREAKING: Armed bandits kidnap teachers, students in Edo state
- Some teachers and students in a specialised higher institution have been kidnapped in Edo state
- The unknown gunmen stormed the premises of the institution on Wednesday night, March 10
- The spokesperson of the Edo state police command has also confirmed the incident
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PM News is reporting that an unspecified number of teachers and students of the National Institute of Construction Technology, Uromi, Edo state, have been reportedly kidnapped by gunmen.
According to the report, the gunmen stormed the institute on Wednesday night, March 10 and abducted the victims.
The development is said to have heightened tension among residents in the area, as parents of the kidnapped victims have reportedly stormed the school premises.
Source: UGC
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The newly appointed spokesman of the Edo state police command, SP. Bello Kontongs also confirmed the incident.
Daily Trust reports that no contact has been made yet to the family of the victims.
A State House correspondent had on Thursday, March 11 called the attention of the National Security Adviser, NSA, Major-General Babagana Monguno (rtd) on the kidnapping incident.
The journalist had asked the NSA if he was worried that the kidnappings in northern Nigeria could be replicated in southern Nigeria.
The NSA responded in the affirmative, saying the government will ensure the incidents are not widespread across the country.
Legit.ng had monitored the interactive session the NSA had with State House correspondents via a live feed on YouTube.
Recall that a foremost non-governmental organisation in Nigeria, Connected Development, CODE, recently described as worrisome and an indictment on the country's democracy; the spate of abductions of school children in recent times.
The organisation, in a statement sent to Legit.ng on Wednesday, March 3 called on the federal government to urgently deploy measures to protect children and ensure schools are safe for learning.
On his part, former Anambra state governor Peter Obi has frowned at reports of the government paying bandits ransom to free those abducted by the criminal gangs.
Obi a former vice presidential candidate, said such actions by the government are inimical to the economic growth of Nigeria.
Jerrywright Ukwu is an Abuja-based senior political/defence correspondent at Legit.ng. He is a graduate of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos and the International Institute of Journalism in Abuja. He is also a member of the Nigeria Union of Journalists. He spends his leisure-time reading history books. He can be reached via email at jerrywright39@yahoo.com.
Source: Legit.ng
