Categories: World

Nigeria: Boko Haram claims kidnapping of hundreds of students

Boko Haram, the terrorist organization of Nigeria, claimed that it kidnapped hundreds of students from a northwestern area of the country. It is the first attack of Boko Haram in this part of Nigeria. The terrorist organization was formed more than a decade ago. According to the report of AFP, an international news agency, Boko Haram and its rival group, the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), have committed various terrorist attacks in the northwestern areas of Nigeria and neighboring countries including Cameroon, Chad, and Niger.

Aminu Bello Masari, the governor of Katsina state of Nigeria, said that the kidnappers contacted the government of Nigeria. He said about the abducted students in a tweet, “Talks are ongoing to ensure their safety and return to their respective families.” The exact number of abducted children has not been clarified yet.

General John Enenche, the spokesperson of the military of Nigeria, told a news channel that some armed men attacked a secondary school with heavy guns in the town of Kankara. At least 333 students were missing since the attack, according to General Enenche. In the beginning, a so-called bandits group was blamed to be behind the kidnapping. The group was actively involved in carrying out kidnappings for money in the unstable region.

The army said that they had tracked down the locations of the bandits and a military operation was ongoing against them. The government has not yet responded to the claim of Boko Haram. However, if the claim of Boko Haram proves right then the government will entirely change its statement about the kidnapping of hundreds of students.

AFP received a four-minute recording from a Boko Haram channel. The recording said, “I am Abubakar Shekau and our brothers are behind the kidnapping in Katsina.” The voice in the recording resembles the voice of Abubakar Shekau who was involved in the kidnapping of 276 schoolgirls in Chibok in 2014.

Gabriella Remillard

Staff writer for the Chicago Morning Star

Recent Posts

Senate Democrats mock Biden for selling weapons to Israel

Some of President Biden's strongest Senate allies are calling on Israelis to end months of fierce fighting and criticizing the…

11 months ago

The biggest cities in Ukraine are struck by Russian missiles, leaving at least 4 dead and over 100 injured

Ukraine's KYIV — At least four people were killed and nearly 100 injured when Russian hypersonic ballistic missiles attacked Ukraine's…

11 months ago

Good News That’s Much Needed for Biden

The economy is making Americans feel a little more upbeat, especially when it comes to jobs and incomes, which could…

12 months ago

College Ventilation System Reveals Missing Man

The discovery of a decaying body inside a college ventilation system marked the tragic and unexplained end to a missing…

12 months ago

Following three Palestinian shots, a Vermont man was arrested

Following the shooting deaths of three 20-year-old Palestinian-American students in Vermont, authorities have detained a man. According to a news…

12 months ago

China is told to cease “COVID deception” due to the pneumonia outbreak by the US envoy

The United States ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emanuel, urged Chinese authorities "to abandon COVID deception" and demanded that China be…

12 months ago

This website uses cookies.