President Bola Tinubu has directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to travel to Kebbi State on Wednesday to stand with the government and families affected by the abduction of schoolgirls in the Maga community. His message to parents and guardians is that every necessary step will be taken to ensure the girls are rescued without delay.
Tinubu also extended sympathies to the military following the loss of soldiers who died while confronting insurgents in Borno State, including Brigadier General Musa Uba, who lost his life in the line of duty. His remarks were conveyed through his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who noted that the president had been fully briefed on the incidents.
According to the statement shared, the president expressed deep sorrow over the abduction, especially as security agencies had issued warnings about a possible attack. He commended Governor Mohammed Nasir Idris for the efforts made to prevent the kidnapping and acknowledged the difficult circumstances surrounding the incident.
Tinubu condemned the security lapse that allowed gunmen to breach the school’s safety and urged communities across the country to work closely with security agencies. He stressed that information from residents remains vital to preventing further attacks, particularly in regions battling ongoing security issues.
He made it clear that the military, police and DSS rely heavily on the support of citizens to function effectively. Without cooperation and timely information from locals, he warned, security operations will continue to face avoidable setbacks.
The president spoke with visible pain about the deaths of the fallen soldiers and paid tribute to their service and sacrifice. He prayed for comfort for the families of Brigadier General Musa Uba and the other officers who lost their lives while protecting the nation.
Tinubu also expressed concern for the kidnapped students whose education has been violently interrupted. He said he had instructed security agencies to act swiftly and return the girls safely to Kebbi State, describing the attack as a cruel assault on innocent children.
He appealed once again to community leaders and residents in all affected areas to volunteer information that could assist ongoing security operations. According to him, the country’s progress in overcoming its security challenges depends heavily on this partnership between the people and the forces working to protect them.
