APC defends security agencies, urges patience in rescue operations

File copy: All Progressives Congress National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka.

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The All Progressives Congress, on Tuesday, called for patience and support for the security agencies as they work to rescue abducted children and confront rising insecurity across the country.

Speaking in an interview on Channels Television’s breakfast programme, Morning Brief, the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Felix Morka, stressed that the safety of abducted children remains the government’s foremost priority.

He said security operatives must balance the urgency of rescue efforts with the need to avoid actions that could further endanger victims.

“The lives and safety of the children in these recent abductions are a priority; it’s non-negotiable. You cannot do anything that jeopardises those children,” he said.

The APC spokesperson stated that rescue missions involving minors present some of the toughest challenges even for highly skilled operatives.

Morka explained that excessive force could worsen the situation, saying security personnel must act with extreme caution in order not to harm the very people they are deployed to rescue.

He urged Nigerians to show understanding as security forces continue efforts to combat criminal groups across the country.

“We must really be patient with our law enforcement and our security forces,” he said.

The APC spokesperson commended the commitment of the armed forces and other security agencies, describing them as individuals who “put their lives on the line” daily to keep the country safe.

“As a party, we are full of respect and commendation for all of our troops,” he added.

Expressing confidence in ongoing operations, Morka said those responsible for recent kidnappings and violent crimes would eventually be apprehended and prosecuted.

“In the fullness of time, these people will be brought to justice… they should and must face the law and have their day in court,” he stated.

PUNCH Online earlier reported that the armed forces rescued 100 schoolchildren who were abducted last month from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.

The children, conveyed in several buses under tight security, were received by the Governor of the state, Mohammed Bago, at the Government House in Minna, the state capital, around 5:20 p.m.

Gunmen had attacked the remote community on November 21, stormed the school around 2 am on motorbikes and operated for nearly three hours.

They abducted 315 people, including 303 students and 12 teachers.

About 50 pupils managed to escape within the first 24 hours and were reunited with their families, leaving 265 victims in captivity.

President Bola Tinubu, in a statement issued on Monday by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, welcomed the return of the 100 students.

He also renewed efforts to secure the release of the remaining 115 pupils and their teachers, directing security agencies to intensify operations and ensure the safe return of all victims.

Olugbenga is a fine-grained journalist with over nine years of experience. He loves the smell of a good lead and has a penchant for finding out interesting good reports.

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