Nasarawa gov, ex-army chief hail release of 100 abducted Niger pupils

FILE PHOTO: Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule

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Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, and a retired senior military officer, Major General John Enenche (retd.), have applauded the Federal Government and security agencies for securing the release of 100 abducted pupils of St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, in Niger State.

Sule, who spoke during a live phone-in interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Sunday, described the development as “cheering news” and praised the coordinated efforts that led to the breakthrough.

He said, “First, I congratulate Mr. President since the Federal Government played a key role in this release. I also congratulate my dear younger brother, the governor of Niger, and indeed all the parents of these kids.

“This indeed is cheering news, not minding whatever people are saying on the streets.”

The governor noted that much of the work done behind the scenes could not be publicly disclosed for security reasons.

“There are people who are working day and night to ensure that something happens, because the whole essence of government is to make life easy for other people by providing security, welfare and to ensure that people are free to move wherever they want to. So the government and the security agencies are working,” he said.

Sule added that the government remained committed not only to securing the release of the remaining abducted pupils, but also to preventing future school kidnappings.

“But it is not everything that you will disclose on the air. This is definitely what is happening. So by the grace of God, others (abducted students) will also be released, and then this will come to an end.

“Apart from being released, we also need to make sure that we no longer allow our children to be kidnapped, and I think that’s what we are working on. So I think it’s cheering news and I congratulate all those that deserve to be congratulated.”

Also speaking on the programme, pioneer Director of Defence Media Operations and former Commandant of the Army War College, Major General John Enenche (retd.), commended the efforts of the military and other operatives.

He said the rescue of a large number was significant, considering the difficulty of such operations in remote terrains dominated by armed bandits.

“My take is that the government and security agencies have done a lot. And I believe Nigerians will be happy for this. The reason is that it was like a hope lost.

“After a long while that as many as 300 were taken away, the initial rescue was around 40.”

Enenche noted that the release, regardless of the method adopted, saved many young lives.

“But now, we have 100. I can tell you that it is not easy, whichever way or means were used to get these children out. Of course, they will not tell you the nitty-gritty.

“But whichever way, even if it is through non-kinetics or just bargaining and promises or having to exchange something for another thing to give a free passage to release them, nobody knows.”

“But on the whole, the lives of these 100 children have been saved, and I think this is a good signal.”

The attack on St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area, Niger State, occurred on November 21.

Bandits, arriving around 2 a.m. on motorbikes, stormed the dormitories in a coordinated assault that lasted about three hours.

A total of 315 persons—303 students and 12 teachers—were abducted in one of the largest mass kidnappings since the abduction of Chibok schoolgirls in 2014.

Security forces and community hunters immediately launched a manhunt across forests and riverine areas to track the kidnappers.

Fifty pupils escaped within 24 hours and were reunited with their families, but 265—253 children and all 12 teachers remained in captivity until the latest breakthrough that saw 100 freed.

The PUNCH journalist, Adebayo, has over 20 years of experience covering politics, health, metro, entertainment and properties

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