Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger State on Monday received 130 pupils and teachers of St. Mary’s Catholic Private Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, recently rescued from captivity.
The victims were abducted by bandits on Nov. 21 and were handed over to the state government in Minna after a coordinated rescue operation by security agencies.
The National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Maj.-Gen. Adamu Garba-Laka said the operation was carried out on the directive of President Bola Tinubu and coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser in collaboration with the DSS, Nigerian Army, Police, and other agencies.
Garba-Laka said sustained efforts by security forces, including the DSS and the Nigerian Army’s 2 Division, ensured the success of the operation, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting lives and property.
He added that measures were being put in place to secure high-risk areas and ensure that education does not suffer as a result of insecurity.
Receiving the victims, Umaru Bago thanked God and commended President Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, and security agencies for the successful rescue, describing the ordeal of the abducted pupils and teachers as heartbreaking.
The governor expressed hope that the victims would be reunited with their families in time to celebrate the Christmas season.
