Buhari to Security Agencies: ‘Ensure Early Release of Students’

President Muhammadu Buhari has charged security agencies to intensify efforts to ensure the early release of the abducted student of Bethel Baptist School in Kaduna and Niger State.

President Buhari said this on Monday through his Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu disclosing that the attack on school children was getting worrisome.

He expressed concern about the recent attacks and stated that there was an ongoing deployment of additional security in all the troubled States.

“While noting ongoing deployment of additional security personnel to all troubled areas, the President urged security outfits to “act swiftly” to rescue all school boys and girls in the affected states and ensure safe return.

“President Buhari said the disturbing incidents of kidnapping students, mostly in Northern states, was already threatening to undermine efforts in boosting school enrolments in states that were adjudged educationally backward.

“He called on state governments to ensure compliance with UN-supported Safe Schools Programme, which the administration had adopted.
The President described the kidnapping as cowardly and despicable, condemning it as an assault on affected families and the nation.”

Early Monday morning, a private school in Kaduna State was attacked and about 170 students were allegedly kidnapped. While about five persons escaped from the bandits, others were taken to an unknown hideout.