There is controversy over the true identity of those responsible for the freedom of the Kankara schoolboys.
Recall that gunmen invaded the Government Science Secondary School (GSSS), Kankara in Katsina State on December 11 and abducted 344 students and camped them in a forest in Zamfara State where they were eventually rescued on late December 17.
The governor of Katsina State, Mr. Aminu Masari and his Zamfara State counterpart, Dr Bello Matawalle said separately that the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) played a major role in the release of the schoolboys.
However, the Defence Headquarters subtly debunked the claim saying the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji successfully rescued all the abducted students on Thursday following “credible intelligence.”
The coordinator, defence media operations, Maj. Gen. John Enenche, said this in a statement yesterday in Abuja.
Enenche said the rescue was in keeping to the promise by the military to ensure the safe return of all abducted students.
According to him, the students were rescued following credible intelligence by the gallant troops, with high degree of professionalism to ensure they were all rescued alive.
“The Military High Command commends troops of Operation Hadarin Daji including all security agencies for their dexterity.
“The members of general public who volunteered information are also appreciated,” he said.
There was also controversy over the modalities adopted for the freedom of Kankara 344 as there are allegations of financial inducement of the kidnappers.
While the federal government and Masari insisted that the schoolboys were actually kidnapped by bandits and not Boko Haram, and that no ransom was paid for their release, the Yoruba pan-social group, Afenifere faulted the government’s claims, saying it had no doubt that the federal government, paid the terrorists to secure the freedom of the school children.
Spokesman for Afenifere, Mr. Yinka Odumakin said in a statement that the Kankara abduction was a clear signal that Nigeria is finished and that concerned Nigerians, especially the elites in the Northern part of the country must speak up.
The organisation urged Nigerians to come together and rescue the country from the chaos and precarious conditions the Buhari administration had plunged it into.
“Those who harbour any illusion that something is left in this joke of a country called Nigeria must have their eyes cleared after the Kankara practical joke of abduction of hundreds of school boys by Boko Haram bandits. The tragedy was Chibok foreplay in 2014 which was a regime change platform but in which previous lives were involved.
“But with God with his big sense of humour intact, the Chibok practical joke was re-enacted a few days back as President Buhari arrived Katsina and hundreds of Kankara schoolboys were abducted by Boko Haram in broad daylight and along military routes like in Chibok. This time around those who celebrated Chibok to the hilt in 2014 are now in power and fumbled like amateur comedians in a big revelation that what is called terror in Nigeria is most likely a big scam being played at our expense.
“At a point, presidential spokesman Garba Shehu who on different occasions had given impression that he had never been too far from the key room of Boko Haram told what he regards as a silly nation that only 10 boys were kidnapped as against 344 figure given by Governor Masari. A more accurate figure would have been given by this administration if their precious cows were the ones rustled.
“The height of stupidity in governance was when it officially came out that another terror group called Miyetti Allah was the front for negotiation confirming our suspicion that this government rolls with all that troubles this country. Even when the boys were cheekily released and there was official lie of rescue Governor Masari in the boldest official cover – up for the terror enveloping Nigeria said he needed a third party to tell him who abducted and released them,” Afenifere stated.
The minister of information and culture, Mr. Lai Mohammed, however told journalists in Abuja that there was no ransom to the bandits before the boys were released.
“The release of these school boys is a testament to the importance that this administration attaches to the security and safety of all Nigerians.
“There is no government in the world that will not face the challenges of security at one time or another.
“No government in the world is immune to terrorist attacks. What stands any government out is the way and manner it responds to such challenges”, he stated
Explaining the global security challenges, the minister said school shooting had been a recurring challenge in the United States, stating that between 2010 and 2020, almost 200 school children were killed and many more injured in various school shooting incidents.
He further stated that the president would do everything possible to prevent a recurrence of these school abductions, insisting that the federal government has moved with speed and determination each time it has faced the challenge of school abductions.
The minister claimed that some Nigerians simply threw decorum to the wind and allowed their emotions to take a better part of them, adding that when disasters and tragedies strike, people come together. We hope the naysayers have learnt their lessons.
“And we hope those who have started trading and politicking with the hashtag ‘BringBackOurBoys’ can now go home, as our boys have been brought back, even before their dubious campaign could take off,’’ he added.
Similarly, Masari insisted no payment was made to secure the release of the abducted Kankara pupils.
Speaking when he received the schoolboys at the government house yesterday, the governor said his administration did not offer a penny to the abductors of the boys for their release.
