President Bola Tinubu said he is depressed over the killing of personnel of the Nigerian Army and the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State.
President Tinubu’s position was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by his special adviser on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
ISWAP terrorists abducted and killed some soldiers including Brigadier General Musa Uba.
Tinubu sent condolences to the military and the families of the personnel.
He said the military needed support from Nigerians in affected communities to carry out security operations.
“As the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, I am depressed with the death of our soldiers and officers on active duty. May God comfort the families of Brigadier General Musa Uba and other fallen heroes,” he said.
Tinubu also said he was depressed that terrorists disrupted the education of schoolgirls in Kebbi State.
“I am also depressed that heartless terrorists have disrupted the education of innocent schoolgirls. I have directed the security agencies to act swiftly and bring the girls back to Kebbi State.
He said security agencies had been directed to act to ensure the release and safe return of the abducted students.
He asked Vice President Kashim Shettima to visit the state to sympathise with the state government and the parents of the students.
The president urged community leaders and residents, especially in security-troubled areas, to share information that could support the military, police and DSS.
Kebbi State Governor Mohammed Idris said the abduction occurred despite intelligence provided by the DSS about a possible attack on Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga.
Idris alleged sabotage by an unnamed security agency and announced a special panel to investigate the incident.
The panel will be chaired by the state DSS director.
The governor said armed personnel deployed to the school on Sunday withdrew shortly before the attack, leading to the kidnapping of 25 students.
Three students escaped.
A teacher who escaped said the personnel had trained students on emergency drills before leaving the school.
Northern States Governors’ Forum condemned the attack.
Chairman of the forum and governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Yahaya, commiserated with the people of Kebbi State and called for a coordinated operation to rescue the students.
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu said the incident was an attack on students and educators.
She said her prayers were with the families of those affected and urged security agencies to rescue the students.
