Tinubu directs security agencies to ensure release of remaining abducted Niger state schoolchildren

President Bola Tinubu has directed security agencies toensure the release of the 115 remaining students of St. Mary’s Private CatholicPrimary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara LGA, Niger state. A statement issued on Monday by Bayo Onanuga, specialadviser to the president on information and strategy, said that Tinubucommended security operatives for “tireless efforts in securing the freedom” ofthe 100 students out of the 265 abductees, including all 12 teachers. The president said the federal government is ready to workwith state governments to secure schools for a conducive learning environment. “I have been briefed on the safe return of 100 students fromthe Catholic School in Niger state,” the statement quoted Tinubu as saying. “I rejoice with Governor Umar Bago and commend our securityagencies for their steadfast work in ensuring the safe return of the studentsto their families since the unfortunate incident on November 21. “My directive to our security forces remains that all thestudents and other abducted Nigerians across the country must be rescued andbrought back home safely. We must account for all the victims. “The federal government will continue to work with NigerState and other states to secure our schools and make the learning environmentsafer and more conducive for our young ones. “From now on, our security agencies, working with thegovernors, must prevent future kidnappings. “Our children should no longer be sitting ducks forheartless terrorists’ intent on disrupting their education and subjecting themand their parents to unspeakable trauma.” On Sunday, the federal government secured the release of 100schoolchildren abducted from the Niger school — two weeks after theirabduction. The gunmen, who invaded the school on November 21 at about 2a.m. on motorbikes, initially took away 315 persons, comprising 303 studentsand 12 teachers, in an operation that lasted three hours. Subsequently, 50 pupils escaped within the first 24 hours ofthe abduction.

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