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Ribadu: Abducted Niger schoolchildren safe, will return soon
Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser (NSA), has confirmed that the pupils and staff abducted from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwarra LGA, Niger State, are in good condition and will soon be reunited with their families.
The school was attacked on November 21 by armed assailants, who abducted 315 people, including 303 students and 12 teachers.
Following the abduction, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State reported that 50 students had managed to escape from captivity.
Speaking during a solidarity visit to Bulus Yohanna, the Catholic bishop of Kontagora diocese and proprietor of the school, Ribadu reportedly said “the children are doing fine and will be back soon”.
“This is a very solemn and difficult moment for us, especially after hearing from some of the parents and all of you. However, we take responsibility because it is our duty to protect you,” a statement by the diocese quoted Ribadu as saying.
“This is a directive from Mr. President that we must come and visit you. Mr. President is in pain; he is in sorrow just like all of us. He stopped everything he was doing; he was supposed to travel but he suspended his journey.”
The NSA noted that the government would no longer tolerate the activities of criminals terrorising Nigerians.
“Enough is enough. We will not be relentless in our efforts. We are all under attack. Let us not allow bad people to divide us; let us not allow evil to get into us,” he said.
Ribadu said international partners are rallying behind Nigeria in the fight against terrorism and banditry.
“Many good people from all over the world are coming to support us, including the United States of America,” he added.
“We appreciate everyone, especially European countries like France, the United Kingdom and a couple of others. The whole world is coming together to stop and defeat this evil which has been going on in Nigeria for two decades.”
Earlier, Yohanna thanked President Bola Tinubu and presented copies of the report to the NSA after which they went into a closed door meeting that lasted for about 30 minutes.
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