The national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has expressed optimism that the abducted students and teachers of St Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School will soon be reunited with their families.

Yilwatda made the statement while leading a delegation to visit the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Niger State chapter, where he expressed solidarity with the affected families and the wider community.

Prof. Yilwatda commended the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that they are yielding positive results, and prayed for the safe recovery of the students. He condemned the rising cases of kidnapping, describing the sequence of events as disturbing, while also commending the efforts of the chairman and leadership of CAN in the state.

During a visit to Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago at the Government House in Minna, the APC national chairman stated, “We are here to express our heartfelt condolences over the kidnapping that happened in the state.

“Our hearts are with you, our prayers are with you and these children will be reunited with their parents as soon as possible.

“Wherever they are, I know that God will give them the strength and, as we wait upon the Lord for their return, God will rescue them, God will bring them back because the whole country is in prayers.”

The CAN chairman, Most Rev. Bulus Yohanna, represented by Rev. Ezekiel Ibrahim, thanked the APC chairman for the visit and assurance, adding that prayers have been intensified for the safe return of the abducted students.

Earlier, Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago had called for continued prayers for the safe recovery of the missing schoolchildren and for sustainable peace in the state and the nation at large. He emphasised that the state is committed to peaceful coexistence regardless of religious differences, pointing out that there is strength in diversity.