Yesterday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed all security agencies to bring back all the people in the custody of abductors without further delay.
The President, who expressed joy over the return of 100 pupils abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government of Niger State, praised security agencies for their “steadfast efforts” since the November 21 incident.
But President Tinubu said the joy can only be full if all the abductees are rescued from the kidnappers’ den.
No fewer than 115 students and some of their teachers are still in captivity after the school attack.
As the rescued pupils were reunited with their parents in Minna, the state capital, Governor Umar Bago raised hope about the rescue of the remaining ones soon.
The President, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, charged security operatives to intensify operations to secure the release of the remaining students and their teachers who are still being held by bandits.
He said: “I rejoice with Governor Bago and commend our security agencies for their steadfast work in ensuring the safe return of the students to their families.”
The President assured affected families that both the Federal Government and the Niger State Government are working closely to bring home every abducted child.
He added: “My directive to our security forces remains that all the students and other abducted Nigerians across the country must be rescued and brought back home safely. We must account for all the victims.”
The President also said his administration was taking further actions to secure schools across the country, stressing that learning institutions must never again become soft targets for terrorists.
He added: “From now on, our security agencies, working with the governors, must prevent future kidnappings.
“Our children should no longer be sitting ducks for heartless terrorists intent on disrupting their education and subjecting them and their parents to unspeakable trauma.”
President Tinubu reaffirmed that the safety of students and the protection of schools remain a top priority of his administration as part of broader national security reforms.
