TheCable

Abubakar Bello, governor of Niger, says the state government is at the final stage of negotiation for the release of persons abducted from Kagara.

On Wednesday, gunmen suspected to be bandits stormed Government Science College (GSC) Kagara, Rafi local government area, kidnapping several students, members of staff, and some members of their families.

Bello had placed the figure of abducted students at 27.

During a live broadcast in Minna, the state capital, on Friday, Bello said his government is doing everything to rescue the victims.

He said arrangements and consultations are ongoing between the government of Niger and the bandits for the purpose of releasing the abducted persons.

“At the moment, there is no additional information apart from the one we have at hand. Our priority is to make sure we bring back the students safe. Things are speculated or rumoured, but we cannot work with these at situations like this,” he said.

The governor urged the parents and families of the victims to be hopeful as everything possible was being done.

Bello called on traditional leaders to support government’s efforts by giving useful intelligence on criminals hiding in their communities.

He said Kagara students have not been released but the state is doing its best to ensure they are released within “the next few days or hour”.