Kankara Schoolboys: We Know The Bandits Who Abducted The Students – Gov Masari Says Boko Haram Not Responsible

Governor Aminu Masari has said Boko Haram insurgents were not responsible for the abduction of over 300 students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, in Katsina State.

MERIDIAN SPY reported Tuesday, Abubakar Shekau, leader of the terrorist group, in a four-minute audio, claimed responsibility for the abduction of the students from the school.

Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, Defence Spokesperson, yesterday, described the audio as fake, stating that Shekau was not a person but a “brand and all that needs to be done is somebody using his voice.”

Speaking on a Channels Television programme on Wednesday, Masari similarly disregard the claims by the terrorist’s leader, stating that information available to his administration showed that the abduction was carried out by local bandits.

“The report we have and from the information available to us, this abduction was conducted and executed by local bandits that are known to all of us,” he said.

“These bandits that are roaming the forest of Zamfara and parts of Katsina state, so far, this is the information we have.”

Asked if there is a possible link between the attackers and Boko Haram, the governor said there are “signs” that bandits are making contact with terrorist groups.

“I’m not absolutely discounting any foreign, either ISWAP or Boko Haram, indirectly working with the bandits,” Masari said.

“You know over one year, there were signs that some of the elements of the bandits are making contact with some of the elements of Boko Haram or ISWAP.”

Governor Masari further said the government was working towards finding out if there is a relationship between the bandits and terrorist groups.

“With regards to this abduction, we have not seen yet any direct involvement of Boko Haram or ISWAP. However, we are watching the development,” he said.

“We are seeing through the evidence that we have; we are going through the tracking system that we have in place to find out if there is any linkage.”