The Niger State government has drafted a combined security agencies team to ensure the release of the 136 abducted pupils of the Salihu Tanko Islamiya School in Tegina, Rafi local government area of Niger State.
The team includes the Military, Police, Civil Defense, and the Vigilante Corps.
Recall that pupils of the Salihu Tanko Islamiya School were kidnapped over two weeks ago in the area.
Abubakar Sani Bello, the state Governor, while addressing the combined security team in Tegina assured that the government has resolved to take decisive measures for the safe return of the children.
Bello, who had earlier met with parents of the 136 children and other stakeholders at the palace of the Emir of Kagara, Ahmed Garba Gunna, sympathized with them.
He urged them to exercise patience as the government was exploring all avenues to see to their safe rescue.
“Even though we have ruled out payment of ransom, it is time for the government to take decisive measures towards ending the bandits’ activities that are forcefully changing the lives of the people, especially in the rural areas.
“We have to try our possible best not make them succeed in forcing us to change our normal lives, they started by displacing farmers from their farmlands, next, they moved to burning farms, then moved to kidnappings and forcing us to close our schools, now they have started attacking Islamic schools, only God knows what is next, ” he lamented.
Bello also commended the efforts of the security personnel in the area in fighting the bandits in the last few weeks.
Saying, “your allowances and other financial benefits will always be provided as at when due”.
The Emir of Kagara, Ahmad Garba Gunna, Attahiru II in his speech thanked the governor for all support given to the emirate and the support given to the family of the kidnapped schoolchildren.
Earlier, the Headmaster of the Islamiyyah School, Mallam Abubakar Alhassan commended the action of the government to ensure their children will return to their families.
