Nigeria's National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has provided a crucial update on the mass abduction at a Niger State school, assuring parents and religious leaders that a rescue operation is progressing and the victims are safe.
Solidarity Visit and Assurance to Kontagora Diocese
In a strategic engagement aimed at calming frayed nerves, Ribadu paid a solidarity visit to Bishop Bulus Yohanna, the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese and proprietor of St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwarra Local Government Area. The visit followed the November 21 abduction where gunmen seized 315 people, including 303 students and 12 teachers.
According to a statement from the diocese, Ribadu conveyed a message of hope and federal responsibility. “This is a solemn and difficult moment for us, especially after hearing from parents and community leaders,” Ribadu stated. “We take responsibility because it is our duty to protect you. The children are doing fine, and they will be back soon.” He explicitly confirmed that all abducted individuals are alive and in stable condition.
President Tinubu's Personal Concern and Government Resolve
The National Security Adviser revealed the personal involvement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the crisis. Ribadu disclosed that the President was deeply affected and had adjusted his schedule to prioritize the safe return of the pupils and staff.
“Mr. President is in pain; he is in sorrow just like all of us. He suspended his intended travel because of this matter,” Ribadu told the gathering. He used the occasion to issue a stern warning to perpetrators of such crimes, declaring that the federal government's tolerance for attacks on vulnerable citizens, especially children, has run out.
“Enough is enough. We will be relentless in our efforts. We are all under attack, and we must not allow bad people to divide us or weaken our resolve,” he asserted.
International Support and Escaped Students
Ribadu highlighted that Nigeria is not alone in the fight against terrorism and banditry. He noted robust international collaboration, stating, “Many good people from all over the world are supporting us, including the United States, France, the United Kingdom, and others. The global community is coming together to defeat this evil that has plagued Nigeria for two decades.”
Meanwhile, the Niger State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) provided clarification on the numbers, confirming that 215 students and 12 staff were abducted. They also verified earlier reports that approximately 50 students managed to escape from captivity within two days of the incident and have since been reunited with their families.
Bishop Yohanna expressed gratitude for the federal government's swift intervention and presented a detailed report on the abduction to the NSA. The two later held a closed-door meeting that lasted about 30 minutes, presumably to discuss finer operational details.
The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora has published a comprehensive list of the abducted, which now totals 265 names. This list comprises:
- 12 teachers
- 14 secondary school students
- 239 primary school pupils
This tragic event in Papiri is the latest in a series of mass school kidnappings that have plagued northern Nigeria, reigniting urgent national conversations on enhancing school security and fostering coordinated community vigilance to protect educational institutions.
