Niger State government has received the remaining kidnapped schoolchildren and their teachers from St. Mary, Papiri, rescued by the federal government.
Farmer Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago received the rescued victims at the Government House, Minna.
He described the release of the remaining kidnapped victims of the St. Mary Catholic schools as a relief and said that it is touchy, especially as the children are very young.
The farmer governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, expressed his deepest appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Security Adviser (NSA),Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, service chiefs, and all the security agencies for playing critical roles in ensuring the remaining Papiri schoolchildren regain their freedom.
He also commended traditional rulers, religious and community leaders, as well as all concerned citizens who made various efforts that led to the release of all the adopted victims of St. Mary Catholic schools.
The farmer governor said the rescued victims will be reunited with their families after medical examination.
The representative of the NSA, Nuhu Ribadu, Major-General Adamu Garba Laka, National Coordinator, Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), said the rescue was a result of the directive of the President, which led to intense and coordinated operations by the National Security Adviser in collaboration with the Department of State Services, the Armed Forces, the Nigerian Police, other security agencies, and international partners.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Office of the NSA to continue collaborating with state governments and other relevant stakeholders to develop measures that would bring lasting community-based security solutions and ensure that every Nigerian’s child’s right to education is protected.