Ogun State Governor and Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has commended Tinubu over the rescue of all 230 students of St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri community, in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, describing the development as a clear sign that evil will not triumph over Nigeria.
Abiodun expressed delight following the release of the remaining 130 students who were held in captivity, after an earlier batch of 100 students regained freedom earlier in the month.
He said the successful rescue fulfilled Tinubu’s pledge to ensure that all the abducted students were released unharmed and reunited with their parents.
The governor also praised the security architecture put in place by the Federal Government, noting that the series of successful rescues had helped to restore public confidence in governance and national security.
According to him, the release of the Papiri students adds to the growing list of rescued abductees across the country, including 24 persons freed in Kebbi State, 100 students earlier rescued from a Catholic school in Niger State, and Christian worshippers abducted in Eruku, Kwara State.
Abiodun, in a statement issued in Abeokuta on Sunday, said it was particularly heartwarming that the rescued students and their parents would be able to celebrate the Yuletide together after enduring a traumatic experience. He urged security agencies to ensure that those responsible for the abductions are brought to justice.
“I am extremely delighted to learn that the remaining 130 students of St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri community, Niger State, who were hitherto in captivity, have been released.”
“The students, their parents, the Papiri community and the Government of Niger State have all been through a lot, and I rejoice with them in this moment of triumph over the forces of darkness who seized innocent students from their hostels and their teachers from the school grounds,” the governor said.
He added that the successful rescue underscored the commitment of the current administration to national security and stability.
“If this incident shows anything, it is the fact that the Bola Tinubu administration is committed to a safe, secure and prosperous Nigeria, and deserves our collective prayers and moral support,” Abiodun said.
He further stated that the President remained resolute in addressing the rising cases of kidnapping and terrorist attacks across the country.
“The President is determined to tackle the upsurge of kidnapping and terrorist attacks and bring sanity back to our society, which will invariably restore the confidence of Nigerians and the international community in the government, and bring massive development,” he said.
Abiodun also applauded the efforts of the security agencies involved in the rescue operation, while calling for sustained action against criminal elements.
“The security agencies deserve plaudits for this feat. I also urge them to ensure that the terrorists behind the attacks on innocent and law abiding Nigerians are hunted down and prosecuted to the fullest extent allowed by law,” he added.
