….as US offers help
As security operatives intensify efforts to rescue the schoolchildren abducted from various schools across the country, the Department of State Services (DSS) has briefed President Bola Tinubu on the progress of ongoing search operations.
BusinessDay gathered that Oluwatosin Ajayi, Director-General of the DSS, met with the President at the Presidential Villa late Friday to provide an update on the security situation, including progress recorded in the search efforts.
This comes as the Federal Government has set up a joint task force comprising all security agencies to comb the entire northern region in a renewed push to recover the abducted schoolchildren.
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Recall that the President had earlier directed Bello Matawalle, Minister of State for Defence, to relocate to Kebbi State to coordinate the search for the schoolgirls abducted from a government school in Manga Local Government Area.
BusinessDay also gathered that United States President Donald Trump has offered to assist the Nigerian government in unraveling the circumstances behind the renewed wave of schoolgirls abductions in the country.
This was part of the outcome of a meeting in Washington between Pete Hegseth, US Secretary of Defence, and Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser, following the recent designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” by President Trump and his threat to take action against Nigeria over alleged genocide against Christians.
Presidency sources said the US government is concerned about the renewed attacks targeting schoolchildren in Nigerian schools.
Only on Friday, terrorists attacked St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, abducting about 200 persons, including students and teachers.
Wasiu Abiodun, Police Public Relations Officer, Niger State Police Command, confirmed the abduction and said the attack occurred at about 2:00 a.m.
According to him, “The report indicated that some armed bandits invaded St. Mary’s Private (Catholic) Secondary School, Papiri, Agwara LGA, and abducted a yet-to-be-ascertained number of students from the school’s hostel.”
Read also: Students, staff abducted as bandits raid Catholic school in Niger
He added that police tactical units, military personnel, and other security agencies have been deployed to the area and are combing the surrounding forests in an effort to rescue the abducted students.
Abdullahi Elleman, Niger State Commissioner of Police, said the Command has intensified its manhunt to ensure the students are rescued unhurt. He appealed to the public to remain calm and support the ongoing operations.
He further assured that the incident will be investigated and that necessary action will be taken against the school management for continuing academic activities despite the state government’s directive to close schools in the area due to security threats.
