Boko Haram threat: Students flee school hostels in Nasarawa

FOLLOWING the purported abduction letters sent to three government secondary schools in Nasarawa State by members of Islamist group, Boko Haram, students of one of the affected schools, on Thursday, fled their hostels, for fear of being abducted by the insurgents.

A visit by the Nigerian Tribune to Government Science Secondary School (GSSS), Lafia, showed that many students had left their hostels, while others were seen with their belongings, heading towards the main road to board vehicles to their respective homes, despite the downpour.

Some students who did not want their names in print told the Nigerian Tribune that “many have left today and we are waiting for our friends so that we can leave together before Boko Haram people will come to the school.”

At the time of filing this report, stern-looking mobile policemen had taken over the school premises. 

Sources said the security operatives had been stationed on the premises since Thursday morning, to forestall any intrusion.

When asked on the presence of the mobile policemen on the school premises, the principal (name withheld) said he was not in a better position to speak on the development, adding that the local inspectorate office or education ministry would be in good position to talk on it.

When contacted on phone, the state Commissioner for Education, Yakubu Na’Hauwa, denied that the government directed the students to go back to their various homes, saying information that students had left hostels had not reached his office.

While confirming that the insurgents sent letter to GSSS in Lafia to abduct schoolgirls, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ismaila Numan, told the Nigerian Tribune on phone that the letter was received, on Tuesday, adding that the police had commenced investigations on its authenticity or otherwise.

He also confirmed that the command had drafted policemen to the school to forestall any act capable of disrupting existing peace in the state.