The federal government yesterday condemned last week’s abduction of internally displaced persons at Wurge in Ngala Local Government Area of Borno State by ISWAP terrorists as well that of school-age children at Government Secondary School, Kuriga in Gwagwada District, Chikun LGA, Kaduna State, by bandits.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, in a statement, said the abductions were utterly unacceptable and against all the fundamental values of humanity.
“The government stands resolutely against any form of violence or coercion targeted at innocent civilians, especially the most vulnerable among us. Our children deserve to seek education in conditions devoid of harm or threat of harm, and any threat to their security is a direct attack on the future of our country,” he said.
He said while extending heartfelt sympathies to the families and communities affected by the incidents, President Bola Tinubu had directed security agencies “to swiftly ensure the safe return of all abducted persons and the arrest of the perpetrators.”
Idris said the government would spare no effort in its pursuit of justice for the victims, and in its determination to hold the abductors accountable “to the full extent of the law.”
The minister urged the public to “remain calm but vigilant, and to provide any relevant information that may assist the security agencies. Collective action and solidarity are essential if we are to effectively combat the menace of banditry, insurgency and insecurity in our country.
“Furthermore, the government reaffirms its unwavering commitment to protecting the lives and property of citizens, and will continue to work very hard to ensure that the capacity of criminals to launch these attacks is constantly and irreversibly degraded,” he added.
