President Bola Tinubu has directed security agencies to intensify efforts and secure the immediate release of the remaining 115 students and their teachers abducted from Papiri Catholic School in Niger State, insisting that all victims must be accounted for.
The President issued the directive on Monday while welcoming the return of 100 of the kidnapped students, who were rescued following what he described as tireless and steadfast work by security operatives.
I have been briefed on the safe return of 100 students from the Catholic School in Niger State. I rejoice with Governor Umar Bago and commend our security agencies for their steadfast work in ensuring the safe return of the students to their families since the unfortunate incident on November 21, Tinubu said.
He reassured parents of the abducted children that the Federal Government, in collaboration with the Niger State Government, is working relentlessly to secure the freedom of every student still held by the attackers.
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 stated.
Tinubu emphasised that school safety has become an urgent national priority, vowing that coordinated actions between federal authorities, security chiefs and state governors will be enforced to prevent future attacks on educational institutions.
He said: The Federal Government will continue to work with Niger State and other states to secure our schools and make the learning environment safer and more conducive for our young ones.
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.
The President’s directive comes amid growing national concern over recurring mass abductions and the psychological toll on families awaiting the return of their missing children.
