President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the military, police and intelligence agencies to ensure safe and early release of all kidnapped victims.
Buhari in a statement issued by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, expressed concern over attacks on Kaduna and Niger states, which he said are largely targeted at students.
While noting the ongoing deployment of additional operatives to all troubled areas, the president urged security outfits to “act swiftly” to rescue all school boys and girls in the affected states and ensure their safe return.
He also described the kidnapping as “cowardly and despicable, as well as an assault on affected families and the nation”.
Buhari said the disturbing incidents of kidnapping students, mostly in Northern states, was already threatening to undermine efforts in boosting school enrolments in states that were adjudged educationally backward.
He called on state governments to ensure compliance with the United Nations-supported safe schools’ programme, which the present administration had adopted.
