- President Bola Tinubu has welcomed the release of 100 of over 300 schoolchildren earlier kidnapped by bandits in Niger state
- The president, in a statement on Monday, December 8, congratulated the state government and sent two fresh directives to security agencies
- Recall that the assailants attacked the school on Friday, November 21, at about 2am on motorbikes and abducted 303 students and 12 teachers
President Bola Tinubu has issued a fresh directive to the security agencies, asking them to ensure that all Nigerians abducted in different parts of the country are rescued and returned to their homes safely.
In a tweet on Monday, December 8, the president noted that the Nigerian children should not be “sitting ducks for heartless terrorists intent on disrupting their education and subjecting them and their parents to unspeakable trauma”.
Source: Twitter
Tinubu asks security agencies to prevent kidnappings
Tinubu’s comment was a reaction to the recent release of the 100 pupils who were abducted at the St. Mary’s Catholic Private Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, Niger state, in late November. He added that he had also directed security agencies to “prevent future kidnappings”.
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Recall that the assailants attacked the school on Friday, November 21. They arrived at 2 am on motorbikes and abducted 303 students and 12 teachers.
The incident was one of the multiple cases of kidnappings that happened in a week. This led to widespread outrage in the country. President Bola Tinubu, in addressing the matter, declared a state of emergency on security in the country. He also ordered massive recruitment in the police and military, while calling on the national assembly to amend the constitution to allow states to have their own police.
Nigerians react to Tinubu’s statement
Some Nigerians have taken to the comment section of the post and celebrated with the president. Below are some of their reactions:
Ahmed Ololu wrote:
“This is a welcome update from President Tinubu. The safe return of the 100 students is a relief for their families and the nation. What matters now is prevention; our children must never again be targets for kidnappers. The President’s directive for tighter security and stronger collaboration with governors is the right step. Nigerians now expect sustained action to keep our schools truly safe.”
Source: Twitter
Emmy said:
“The only way to end this madness is for Mr President to clamp down on every terrorist sympathiser and bandit enabler. Failure to act now means they’ll return even more emboldened once their ransom money runs out.”
Al’ameen reacted:
“This is good news for Nigeria. Nigerians are grateful for having you as the president, sir. You, the NSA and the service chiefs are working hard to secure our lives and properties, and we are grateful. May God continue to help us with good leaders, and may we keep winning the fight against terrorism.”
Alli Olabisi expressed her confidence in Nigeria:
“Despite all, the country WILL succeed. God bless me, God bless all the lovers of our beautiful nation, God bless the President, and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
See the full statement of the president here:
Tinubu restructures security architecture
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Legit.ng earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu sacked all the service chiefs and announced their replacement with immediate effect.
The presidency announced the development in a statement, adding that it was part of Tinubu’s effort to strengthen the national security architecture.
This came amid the rumour that some military officers are planning to oust Tinubu through a coup.
Proofreading by Funmilayo Aremu, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng