No fewer than six pupils at the Local Government Education Authority Primary School, Alwaza, in Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State have been kidnapped by heavily armed men who stormed the school premises on Friday morning.
A source in the community who pleaded anonymity told our correspondent that the incident occurred at 7 am in the morning when other pupils of the school were still arriving for the day’s activities.
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, DSP Ramhan Nansel, has debunked claims that six pupils of the LGEA primary school, Alwaza, were kidnapped in the school premises.
He explained that those kidnapped by the gunmen were two boys, 7 and 8 years old, adding that they were on their way to school when the sad incident occurred.
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 agencies to the scene of the attack.
He said, “The information I have is that two boys between ages 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 7:10 am today, a joint team led by the commissioner of police comprising of the police, military and vigilantes 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 faces seen in the area to the nearest police station.
