The Federal Government of Nigeria has come out to assure Nigerians that it will do everything within its powers to secure the release of students of the Government Science College Kagara Niger State and their teachers unhurt.
Africa Daily News had earlier reported that 42 persons, 27 of the students, 3 staffers, and 12 members of their families were kidnapped in an early morning raid on the school by bandits who also killed a student, Monday Benjamin Doma.
A high-powered delegation of the Federal government which was in Minna to commiserate with the government and people of the state gave the assurance during a courtesy call on Governor Abubakar Sani Bello at Government House.
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The delegation was led by the National Security Adviser Major General Babagana Mongunnu and include the Minister of Information Alhaji Lai Mohammed, that of Internal Affairs Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, his counterpart of the Police Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi as well as the Inspector General of Police Mr. Abubakar Mohammed Adamu.
Mongunu who spoke on behalf of others said the strategy used to get the kidnapped Kankara schoolboys released will be adopted to get the students out but said that those behind the kidnap will be arrested and prosecuted.
‘We are going to work with our partners, with the community to ensure these students are returned unhurt. I also assure you that we will get them released unharmed’.
The NSA disclosed that the issue of banditry and kidnapping had been an issue of concern to the government but said the administration ‘has put in place strategies to deal with the situation’ adding that the security agencies have also restrategized.
Mongunu disclosed that to improve the security architecture of Niger state, four additional units of Mobile policemen had been deployed to the state while his office is working with the DSS and other intelligence groups.
In his separate remarks, the Minister of Information Alhaji Lai Mohammed said the Federal Government will leave no stone unturned to ensure the safety of lives and property of all Nigerians.
‘Government will not surrender its sovereignty to criminals’, Mohammed said, promising that the challenges being faced by the country will soon be a thing of the past.
Mohammed said the federal government delegation had endorsed all the strategies put in place to secure the release of the students and their teachers and therefore called for support and cooperation of the public to get the victims released.
The Inspector-General of Police Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar Adamu expressed concern with happenings in the state and the North Central and North Western geo political regions of the country and therefore called on the communities in these areas to give information that will lead to the arrest of criminal elements in the society.
AFRICA DAILY NEWS, NEW YORK
