President Muhammadu Buhari has issued a ‘stern’ warning to bandits operating in Nigeria, saying that the country would not allow destruction of the school system.
Buhari said this in a statement today by his special assistant on media and publicity, Garba Shehu.
According to Shehu, Buhari commended efforts of the Kaduna State government and ‘early response’ of the military that led to the rescue of 180 students, including eight staff members.
“President Buhari commended efforts of the Kaduna State government and early response of the military which led to the rescue of 180 students including eight staff members but urged that the others declared missing be found and returned safely to their families,” he said.
“The President also commended efforts and contributions of local intelligence in significantly thwarting the kidnappers, saying that a country which has an efficient local intelligence network is a safer country.”
Buhari, however, urged the military to intensify efforts to ensure that others declared missing were found and returned safely to their families.
He also commended efforts and contributions of local intelligence in combating kidnappers in the country.
“Our military may be efficient and well-armed, but it needs good efforts for the nation’s defense and the local population must rise to this challenge of the moment,” the statement read in part.
This is coming a few hours after a viral video showed students captured by kidnappers pleading to the federal government for help.
The gunmen had abducted 39 students from Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation in Afaka, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
In the viral video, the kidnappers demanded 500 million naira for the release of the students.
