President Muhammadu Buhari is presently meeting with the rescued students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, in Katsina State.
WITHIN NIGERIA had reported that hundreds of the schoolboys were kidnapped by suspected bandits on Friday, December 11.
They were released on Thursday, December 17 in Zamfara State and taken to Katsina State on Friday morning amidst tight security.
The Personal Assistant on New Media to the President, Bashir Ahmad, had tweeted that Buhari would be meeting with the students.
Buhari had initially refused to visit the school where the students were kidnapped despite public outcry.
But the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, at a press conference on Friday, said although the President did not visit Kankara, Katsina State where students were abducted, he coordinated rescue efforts from his hometown, Daura.
When asked why the President failed to visit Kankara despite that he was in the state as of the time of the abduction, the minister said, “Yes, the president did not visit the town but he was busy coordinating the entire operation to ensure the safe return of the students within the fastest time possible.”
Recall that Masari had during the reception of the boys assured that the incident which saw the abduction of the boys by kidnappers will never repeat again adding that the state government will beef up security in schools as well as work closely with security agencies to address insecurity in the state
He said, “today is historic, not only for Katsina state and Nigeria, but also for the Children that were rudely abducted from their school. We commend the effort made by the security agencies and other relevant authorities in ensuring the release of the boys
“We thank god for his mercies and continue to pray for His guidance and protection’’
‘’For those who actually participated in ensuring their release we thank you, security is the responsibility of every one.’’
While acknowledging that the incident that happened in Kankara affected the whole the state cutting across the 34 local government areas of the state, he assured that his administration will strive to restore peace in the state
He charged the pupils to see their experience as journey to adulthood that will be permanently kept in their memory for a long time, assuring that the state government will continue to discharge its responsibility of protecting lives and properties.