President Bola Tinubu has applauded Nigeria’s security agencies for the rescue of 100 students abducted from Papiri Catholic School in Niger State, following the mass kidnapping that occurred on November 21.
In a statement issued on Monday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President said he was “joyful” over the return of the students and commended Governor Umar Bago and the security forces for their “steadfast work.”
However, Tinubu directed the security agencies to intensify efforts toward securing the immediate release of the remaining 115 students and teachers still held captive.
“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 said.
He reassured the affected parents that the Federal Government, in collaboration with the Niger State Government, is working around the clock to reunite all abducted students with their families.
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Tinubu further charged governors and security chiefs to prevent fresh attacks on schools, stressing that the protection of schoolchildren must be treated as a national priority.
“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 statement added.
The President reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening school safety nationwide and ensuring a more secure learning environment for all Nigerian children.