….As CAN Denies Knowledge Of Rescue
Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
President Bola Tinubu has expressed his heartfelt gratitude over the successful rescue of 100 students from Papiri Catholic School in Niger State, commending the tireless efforts of Nigeria’s security agencies.
Commenting on the development, the President expressed profound relief and called for urgent action to free the remaining 115 students and their teachers still held captive.
The president’s happiness was contained in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
“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,” President Tinubu said.
The President assured families of the abducted children that both federal and state governments are collaborating closely to reunite all victims with their loved ones.
He stressed the ongoing commitment of the government to enhance school security nationwide.
“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,” Tinubu declared.
“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.”
Addressing the broader issue of school kidnappings, President Tinubu made a resolute call to prevent future attacks, stressing the need for coordinated efforts between security agencies and state governments.
“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,” Tinubu said.
However, The Niger State branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) says it has not received any formal confirmation that 100 pupils taken from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri had been freed.
In a statement released on Monday, Bishop Bulus Yohanna, the state chairman of CAN, said that the organisation and affected areas had not been properly notified of any release.
“It will be a thing of joy if some of our children have been released. We have been praying and waiting for their return,” Yohanna said.
“If it is true, then it is cheering news. However, we are not officially aware and have not been duly notified.
“We hope and pray it’s true and look forward to when the remaining will be released,” Yohanna said.