The Northern governors have condemned the abduction of students and staff at Government Science School, Kagara in Niger State by suspected bandits, describing it as “a deliberate plot to deprive the region of education”.
In a statement issued in Jos on Wednesday by the Chairman of NGF and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, the Northern governors who expressed sadness over the development, said,
“We totally condemn the abduction of the school children who did nothing wrong than go to school to seek education. This is a sad and reprehensible act that must not be tolerated whatever the motive of the criminals.
“It is an act that further compounds the efforts to enroll more children into schools particularly in the Northern region where illiteracy is very high and enrolment is gradually appreciating after sustained efforts by Government and development partners.”
The statement signed by Governor Lalong’s Director of Press and Press Affairs, Makut Macham, said the quick action taken by security forces to ensure the safe return of the abductees is reassuring.
He sympathised with the parents and families of the victims, urging them not to lose hope even as they go through this traumatic period.
He asked Nigerians to rally around the distraught families and support the security forces with useful information that will ensure that those behind this unfortunate development are apprehended and brought to book.
He said the Northern governors will collectively work in solidarity with their colleague Governor Abubakar Sani Bello to not only ensure that this present situation is resolved swiftly but bring to an end this unacceptable spate of banditry and destruction of lives and properties that is affecting the state, other parts of the region and the nation at large.
