PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has applauded Nigeria’s security agencies following the successful rescue of 100 students abducted from Papiri Catholic School in Niger State, while issuing a fresh directive for the immediate recovery of the remaining victims still in captivity.
The students were kidnapped on November 21 in one of the most unsettling school abductions recorded this year. Their rescue, confirmed on Monday, brought relief to families and authorities, though 115 students and several teachers are yet to regain freedom.
In a statement sent to News Point Nigeria by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu expressed profound joy at the return of the first batch of students and commended Niger State Governor Umar Bago, alongside the military, police and other security operatives, for their coordinated efforts.
“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 since the unfortunate incident on November 21,” the president said.
The president, however, emphasized that the mission is far from over. He directed security agencies to intensify operations until every abducted student and teacher is rescued.
“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 said.
Reassuring worried parents, he noted that the Federal Government is working closely with the Niger State Government to ensure the safe return of the remaining hostages.
Tinubu further stressed that the government is committed to securing schools nationwide to prevent a recurrence of such tragedies, insisting that children must never again be left vulnerable to criminal attacks.
“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.
“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,” he said.
The statement comes amid rising public anxiety over school safety and the growing wave of mass abductions in northern Nigeria.
