President Bola Tinubu has welcomed the release of 100 students abducted from Papiri Catholic School in Niger State, praising security agencies for their efforts and ordering the accelerated rescue of those still in captivity.
In a statement issued on Monday, the President described the return of the pupils as a major relief while stressing that the job remains unfinished, as 115 students and their teachers are yet to regain freedom.
He said both the Federal Government and the Niger State Government are working closely to ensure that every abducted child is reunited with their family.
“I have been briefed on the safe return of 100 students from the Catholic School in Niger State, and I share in the joy of their families and the state government,” Tinubu said.
Commending the military and other security operatives, the President noted that their sustained efforts since the abduction of the students on November 21 had yielded positive results.
While applauding the development, Tinubu directed security agencies to intensify operations to secure the release of the remaining captives.
“Our directive is clear: all the abducted students and every other Nigerian currently in captivity must be rescued and brought home safely,” he said. “We must account for all victims.”
The President also gave assurances that government is taking steps to strengthen security around schools nationwide to prevent future incidents.
“The Federal Government will continue to collaborate with Niger State and others to safeguard our schools and ensure a safe and enabling environment for learning,” he added.
Warning against recurring school abductions, Tinubu said security agencies, working with state governors, must put measures in place to stop armed groups from targeting educational institutions.
“Our children should no longer be easy targets for criminals seeking to disrupt their education and traumatise their families,” the President said.
The students were abducted during an attack on Papiri Catholic School in Niger State, a development that sparked widespread concern across the country.
