President Bola Tinubu has welcomed the release of all 24 schoolgirls abducted by terrorists in Maga, Kebbi State, last Monday, describing their return as a major relief and testament to the renewed vigour of the nation’s security forces.
The girls were taken captive at dawn on November 17, shortly after a military detachment deployed to guard their school premises withdrew. The incident sparked a wave of copycat abductions in Eruku, Kwara State, and Papiri in Niger State.
All 38 victims abducted in Eruku regained freedom on Sunday, while the Niger State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN confirmed that 50 missing students of the Catholic School in Niger had been traced to their parents’ homes the same day.
President Tinubu in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga on Tuesday, applauded the security agencies for their coordinated response and the successful rescue efforts so far.
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He, however, urged them to intensify operations to free the remaining abducted students still in captivity.
“I am relieved that all the 24 girls have been accounted for. Now, we must put as a matter of urgency more boots on the ground in the vulnerable areas to avert further incidents of kidnapping. My government will offer all the assistance needed to achieve this,” the President said.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
