Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Masari, has told BBC Hausa Service that the abducted Kankara schoolboys have been moved by their abductors to a forest in Zamfara State.
Masari also said that the number of students with the terror group is now 400 as against the initial 333 that he told a presidential delegation on Sunday.
The governor said negotiations were on with the terrorists, adding that the bandits who abducted the schoolboys have ties with the Boko Haram terror group.
Abubakar Shekau led faction of Boko Haram had earlier claimed responsibility for the abduction of the students from Government Science Secondary School, Kankara on Friday night.
The group said it carried out the attack on the school and abducted the boys as part of its campaign against Western education.
Meanwhile, Police in Katsina State, said they have recovered guns, and explosives making items from a terrorist hideout in the state.
Gambo Isah, a Superintendent of Police and Public Relations Officer of Katsina State Police Command said the weapons and some items suspected to be used in making improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were discovered at Rugoji Yartalata village, Kafur Local Government Area of the state.
Isah said items recovered included one pump action rifle, eight cartridges and one fabricated revolver pistol, and some IEDs making materials.
“On 15/12/2020 at about 17:30hrs, based on credible intelligence, the Command succeeded in raiding a criminal hideout at Rugoji Yartalata village, Kafur LGA,” he said in a statement.
“Investigation is ongoing with a view to arresting the criminals.”
“Similarly, On 16/12/2020 at about 08:00hrs, the Command in collaboration with local vigilante, succeeded in arresting one Abdullahi Ibrahim, alias ” DANDA”, ‘M’, aged 35yrs of Malabo village, Safana LGA of Katsina state, a notorious bandit terrorizing Safana and Batsari LGAs of the state.
“In the course of investigation, one AK47 rifle and seven (7) rustled cows were recovered in his possession and the suspect is assisting the police in their investigation.”
