‘We were 520 when they counted’ — Katsina student who escaped from bandits narrates experience

 

One of  the abducted students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina state, who later escaped, says 520 of them were led to the bush by the gunmen.

 

On Friday night, gunmen invaded the school, shooting into the air to scare away people in the area.

 

Aminu Masari, governor of Katsina state, on Sunday, said over 300 students were confirmed missing.

 

“Based on the available records, we are still searching for 333 students through either the forest or their parents to ascertain the actual number that have been kidnapped,” the governor had said.

However, Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, said some of the abducted students who escaped told the military that 10 of them were taken away by the gunmen.

 

Shehu, however, added that the figure had not been verified.

 

Speaking with BBC Hausa on Monday, the 17-year-old student whose father did not want his name published, said the incident happened on Friday around 9:30pm.

“Everyone came out and we ran up the wall. After we climbed the wall, they used torchlights and told us to come back,” he said.

 

“After we were taken into the forest, one of them ordered us to stop and count before continuing our journey. They asked one of us to count and there were 520 students.

 

“We kept walking in the bush. We were pushed and beaten. We spent the night walking. Thirty minutes before dawn, we were told to rest.

 

“After they sat us down, I leaned back a little. I found the side of a tree and I turned my back on them. I laid down and straightened my legs.

 

 “After everyone left, I came out crawling and looking until I entered the city.”

 

The student added that his escape was the result of divine intervention.