Troops of the Nigerian army have rescued seven more students of the Federal University of Gusau in Zamfara State who were seized Friday from their off-campus hostel.
Credible News had earlier reported that unspecified number of students of the institution were abducted when bandits attacked Sabon Gida village, Bungudu LGA of the State in wee hours of Friday.
A counter-insurgency expert in the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama disclosed that the seven students were rescued alongside three male workers of Gupran Engineering Services Ltd.
The troops had earlier rescued six female students on Friday shortly after their abduction, bringing the total number of students rescued so far to 13.
In a statement on Sunday, President Bola Tinubu had directed security agencies to rescue “the remaining female students” abducted by terrorists.
In June, students of the university protested the rising cases of abduction in the Sabon-Gida and Dama communities.
Also, five students were abducted from the College of Health Science and Technology in Tsafe LGA of Zamfara state in June.
While condemning the reprehensible act of abduction, the President in a statement by presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, said there is no moral justification for such heinous crimes against innocent victims whose only “offense” was their pursuit of quality education.
While the President wholeheartedly commiserates with all families directly impacted by this sad incident, he affirms that his administration has a solemn duty to protect every Nigerian citizen and in line with this commitment, assures the families of the abducted students that no effort will be spared in ensuring their safe return.
Furthermore, the President pledges that the federal government is determined to ensure that educational institutions remain sanctuaries of knowledge, growth, and opportunity and totally free from the menacing acts of terrorists.
