President Muhammadu Buhari celebrated the release of the abducted students of the Government Science Secondary School, Kankara. Buhari, in a statement signed by Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu on Thursday, described their safe return as a big relief to their families, the entire country, and the international community. The President also assured Nigerians of the determination of his administration to rescue all citizens held against their will by either terrorists or bandits.
The statement read, “President Muhammadu Buhari has welcomed the release of kidnapped students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina State, describing their safe return as a big relief to their families, the entire country and international community.”
President Buhari expressed the nation’s appreciation for the steps taken by all those involved to secure the release of the abducted schoolboys. The President specifically cited what he described as the ‘spirit of partnership and the collaborative efforts’ of the government of Katsina, Zamfara, and security agencies which facilitated and as well provided the environment for the safe release of the hostages.
President Buhari urged the citizens to be patient and fair to the administration as it deals with the problems of security, economy, and corruption. He noted that the administration was fully aware that it was elected to resolve challenges.
“When we came, we made efforts that yielded the return of the Chibok Girls. When a similar incident of school abduction happened at Dapchi, we successfully returned all but one of the more than one hundred abductees. When this latest incident happened, we put in our efforts, and today we have this result to show.”
The President pointed to the successes of the administration in dealing with security in the South-South and North East. He said the North West now presents a challenge that his administration is determined to deal with.
On the issue of detainees held elsewhere in the country by either terrorists or bandits, the President gave assurances that his administration is aware of its responsibility to protect the life and property of the Nigerians. He assured of the determination of his administration to return to safety all citizens held against their will.
He prayed for the full recovery of the students, whom he said had endured significant hardships in the course of their six-day ordeal.