President Bola Tinubu has condemned the incidences of abduction in Borno and Kaduna states, just as he gave security and intelligence agencies marching orders to commence immediate rescue operations for the victims.
On Thursday, February 29, an estimated 200 internally displaced persons (IDPs), consisting mostly of women, boys and girls, were reported kidnapped by suspected terrorrists while out in the woods to fetch firewood in Gomboru-Ngala and Dikwa council areas of Borno State.
Similarly, suspected armed bandits, on Thursday, stormed a premises hosting a primary and secondary schools in Kuriga, Chikun council area of Kaduna State, and abducted around 287 pupils and teachers from the school premises.
However, reacting to the development, President Tinubu, according to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, said he had already met with and received briefings from security chiefs on the matter and assured that the victims of both incidents will soon be rescued.
“President Bola Tinubu condemns the heinous incidents of abduction, involving very vulnerable victims; internally-displaced persons in Borno State, and students in Kaduna State.
“The President directs security and intelligence agencies to immediately rescue the victims and ensure that justice is served against the perpetrators of these abominable acts.
“The President sympathizes with the families of the victims, assuring them that they would soon be reunited with their loved ones”, the statement said.
The President, who vowed that the criminal elements behind the abductions would not escape justice, however said only the rescue of the victims will be acceptable to him and the loved ones of the victims.
“I have received briefing from security chiefs on the two incidents, and I am confident that the victims will be rescued. Nothing else is acceptable to me and the waiting family members of these abducted citizens. Justice will be decisively administered,” Tinubu said.
THE NATION