The Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) Friday described as “unfortunate and sad” the abduction of students of Government Girls Science Secondary School, Jangebe, in Zamfara state.
The chairman of the Forum, the governor of Plateau state, Simon Lalong, said the trend was unacceptable and that strong measures must be taken to put an end to it before it “escalates into a monster that will consume educational pursuit and national aspirations.”
In a statement issued by his director of press, Dr. Makut Macham, Lalong said the development which is coming on the heels of the abduction of school children in Kagara, Niger state, “which is still being addressed, calls for serious concerns among all Nigerians.”
“As Northern governors, we are deeply saddened by this embarrassing and unfortunate attack on our children who are in schools to seek knowledge and build capacity to impact the nation and create a better society.
“The assault on schools where innocent and harmless students are targeted should not be condoned in any way because it has the tendency to set the nation back to ignorance and more poverty.
“The Northern part of the country in particular is more educationally disadvantaged and cannot afford to have these disruptions. Enough is enough,” he said.
According to the statement, the NSGF urged security agencies to use every asset at their disposal to rescue the children and bring to justice those behind the act.
It also called on Nigerians to support the security agencies and the government with credible information that would lead to swift resolution of the situation.
Lalong sympathised with the families of the abducted school children, the people and the government of Zamfara state, and gave the assurance that Forum would lend its support in tackling the problem.
The police
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Zamfara, Abutu Yaro has confirmed the abduction of 317 students of the school.
Yaro disclosed this while speaking to journalists on Friday in Jangebe, Talata-Mafara local government area of the state.
“People must understand that the government and security agents are on their side and against the bandits. That is why it is very important for them to see the need to allow security agents to do their work effectively and rescue the victims.
“We are doing our best along with all sister security agencies, members of the vigilance group and the state government to get to the bottom of this matter. l can assure you that we will rescue all the students unhurt,” he said.
Some residents who spoke with journalists said the bandits came in their hundreds riding on motorcycles and shooting into the air before entering the school around 2:00 a.m. on Friday.