—— Says, there is urgent need to reinforce school security nationwide, insisting that children must never again be exposed to kidnappers.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu praised Nigeria’s security agencies for the successful rescue of 100 students abducted from Papiri Catholic School in Niger State, describing their safe return as a major relief for the nation.

The students, who were kidnapped on November 21, were reunited with their families following what the President called a “steadfast and coordinated” operation by security forces.

Tinubu also commended Governor Umar Bago for his collaboration with federal authorities during the rescue efforts.

Despite the breakthrough, the President emphasized that the mission is far from complete. He directed security agencies to immediately scale up operations to free the remaining 115 students and teachers still held by the abductors.

“My directive to our security forces remains that all the students and other abducted Nigerians across the country must be rescued and brought back home safely. We must account for all the victims,” Tinubu said in a statement.

Reassuring anxious parents, the President noted that both the Federal Government and the Niger State Government are working tirelessly to secure the release of those still in captivity.

President Tinubu stated that the Federal Government will continue to work with Niger State and other states to secure our schools and make the learning environment safer and more conducive for our young ones.

He therefore directed security agencies and state governors to strengthen preventive measures, stressing that Nigerian children must no longer be left vulnerable to “heartless terrorists determined to disrupt their education and inflict trauma on families.