Bago receives 130 rescued Papiri students, says their ordeal painful, heartbreaking

By Rita Iliya

Niger governor, Umaru-Bago on Monday expressed excitement over rescue of 130 rescued pupils and teachers abducted some weeks ago from of St. Mary’s Catholic Private Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area.

While expressing appreciation to God for the successful rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers, Bago, nevertheless described their ordeal as painful and heartbreaking.

“Looking at these children and the torment they went through is unbearable, and we are grateful to God, Mr President, the NSA and all the security agencies for their roles in this successful rescue,” he said.

The governor expressed optimism that the rescued victims would be reunited with their families to enable them celebrate the Christmas season together.

Bago spoke after the victims, abducted on Nov. 21 by bandits were formally handed-over to the Niger government in Minna.

While handing over the children, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Garba-Laka, National Coordinator, National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), said the rescue operation was carried out under the directive of President Bola Tinubu.

Garba-Laka said the successful operation for the rescue of the children was coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies.

“It is with profound humanity and a deep sense of responsibility that I, on behalf of the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, formally announce the rescue and hand-over of the remaining 130 victims.

“The victims, comprising teachers, pupils and students of St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, were abducted on Nov. 21,” he said.

Garba-Laka said sustained efforts by the DSS and the General Officer Commanding, 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, with the guidance of the Chief of Army Staff, played a critical role in ensuring the success of the operation.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the office of the NSA to the protection of lives and property across the country.

According to Garba-Laka, the government is implementing short-term protective measures in high-risk areas while working with state governments, traditional and religious leaders to develop lasting community-based security solutions.

He said education must not be a casualty of violence, noting that policies and operations were being developed to restore confidence, reopen schools safely and guarantee every Nigerian child the right to learn in a secure environment.

The Niger Police Command had earlier confirmed the release of the 130 abducted students and staff

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Wasiu Abiodun, in a statement said the rescue of the 130 students bring an end to the ordeal of the abducted students and staff of the school.

The students were abducted on Nov. 21, while the first batch of about 100 students were rescued on Dec. 8, following sustained security operations.

Gov. Umar Bago had received the first batch of about 100 freed students through the office of the National Security Adviser, Mr Nuhu Ribadu.

NAN)