The Kebbi State Police Command has confirmed the attack on Federal Government College, Birnin Yauri in Kebbi State, by gunmen suspected to be bandits.
Naija News had earlier reported that the attackers, who rode on motorcycles, were said to have stormed the school from neighboring Rijau forest in the early hours of Thursday.
A teacher, who did not want to be named, said that the gunmen conveyed their victims in a bus belonging to a parent.
According to the school official, they had received information on a plan to invade Birnin Yauri community.
He said a detachment of mobile policemen were deployed last week to the school, to prevent the attack.
The teacher said when the bandits finally struck, the security operatives engaged them in a shootout but they were overpowered.
Confirming the attack in a statement on Thursday, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Nafiu Abubakar, stated that officers of the command are currently chasing after the assailants.
The statement read: “A combined team of Police operatives is currently in hot pursuit of bandits who today, June 17, 2021 attacked the Federal Government College, Birnin Yauri, Kebbi State. The team comprising operatives from the Police Mobile Force, Anti-kidnapping and Counter-terrorism units are currently combing nearby forests, routes and suspected hideouts of the criminals.”
“The Kebbi State Commissioner of Police, CP Adeleke Adeyinka, mni while condemning the attack which resulted in the unfortunate death of one policeman and gunshot injury to one of the students has assured parents and guardians of students that the Command is following credible leads and intensifying efforts to track the assailants and ensure the rescue of the missing students and teachers.
“Following the attack, three teachers and yet to be ascertained number of students are still missing.
“Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police appeals to residents of Kebbi State to assist the Police with prompt information that would aid in solving the crime and apprehending the criminals. He assures that the Command will do everything within its power to ensure that the abducted persons are safely reunited with their families and perpetrators brought to book.”
This article was originally published on Nigeria News