Boko Haram Claims Responsibility For Katsina School Attack

The Boko Haram terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the abduction of students from a Government Science Secondary School in Kankara, Katsina State.

“I am Abubakar Shekau and our brothers are behind the kidnapping in Katsina,” said the leader of the Boko Haram in a voice message, according to AFP.

About 333 students are still missing since the attack on Friday.

Eko Hot Blog reported on Tuesday that the Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, confirmed that
17 students escaped from the abductors.

The attack was initially blamed on armed groups locally known as “bandits”, who are active in the unstable region where kidnappings for ransom are common.

Read also: A Number Of Abducted Students Rescued in Katsina – Buhari’s Aide

A resident of the community had also claimed that the attack was a reprisal from armed bandits terrorising the area.

The army said Monday it had located the hideout of the men, and that a military operation was under way.

A number of boys were able to escape, but many were captured, split into groups and taken away, residents told AFP.

The kidnappings occurred in the home state of President Muhammadu Buhari, who condemned the attack and ordered security stepped up in schools, with those in Katsina state closed.