Olu Samuel
Senator Sunday Steve Karimi has condemned the recent attacks and kidnappings of schoolchildren in Niger State attributing them to mischief makers aiming to tarnish President Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
He urged Nigerians to maintain faith in the government, emphasizing President Tinubu’s commitment to protecting lives and properties.
The Senator also called on state governments to establish Community Security Agencies as part of first line of defense to complement national efforts in securing communities.
He stressed the importance of citizens’ involvement in defending their communities and sharing information with security agencies.
Sen. Karimi said the attacks on schools and school Children are part of incidents of a broader pattern of insecurity in Nigeria that is rearing it ugly head, assured that their plans would fail,
He said the recent attacks including the kidnapping of schoolgirls in Niger State are made by people who want to discredit the administration of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu.
Punch reports St. Mary’s Private Catholic Secondary School in Papiri Agwsara local government area,Niger State was invaded in the early hours of Friday by suspected bandits, who reportedly carried away an unconfirmed number of staff and students, most of them girls, to an unknown destination.
This is coming barely one week after 24 students of Government secondary school were abducted in Kebbi state.
“The incident actually happened this morning while the students were sleeping. They kidnapped many students, and some who tried to run into the bush were captured. The Catholic Church will soon issue a statement,” the source said.
The bandits were said to have stormed the school around 2 am, opening fire while the boarding students slept. The gunshots reportedly woke the students, and some who attempted to flee into nearby bushes fell into the waiting hands of the attackers.
The Niger State Police Command spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the attack in a statement released on Friday, stating that a combined team of police and military operatives had been deployed to Papiri to rescue the abducted students.