From SHuaibu Zubair Tatu, Birnin Kebbi
Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, yesterday assured the parents of the kidnapped students of the Federal Government College , Birnin Yauri and staff that, efforts were being intensified by the State Government to ensure their safe rescue .
” The state government would do everything humanly possible to bring back these children and the staff back safely.
” Since when this unfortunate incident occurred, all hands are on the deck to esnure that these our children and the staff are rescued alive, hale and hearty,” Bagudu, promised.
Bagudu, who was emotion laden, spoke at the School when he visted to commiserate with the staff and students on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari, as well as the people and Government of Kebbi State .
He said:” This abduction was a brazen and tragic incident where bandits confronted the policemen who were providing security to the school and empowering them .
” Unfortunately,they made away with some students and Teachers . It is an unfortunate incident .
” About two weeks ago, there was the news of bandits’ movement and they were sighted around this area
” We consulted with the Federral authorities here who told us that the school has about two weeks to finish its terminal examinations.
” It was agreed that if security can be found and stationed in the school , it is better to support the children to finish their examinations before going home.”
Bagudu also expressed delight that the Commissioner of Police was gracious enough to deploy a contingent from the Special Anti Terrorism Taskforce .
He noted that , no fewer than twenty two of the members of the taskforce were deployed to the school.
The Kebbi Governor said,” they were around even during the attack yesterday. Unfortunately, they were overpowered. Because on different accounts, the bad elements came in hundreds . “
According to the Governor, the security agents deserve commendation for their gallant efforts while trying to repel the attack at the school
Bagudu averred that all hands must be on deck to support the security agents. Vigilantes and community leaders are all doing their best to see that they are rescued alive.
While noting that a lot of progress was being made , Bagudu extended the commisseration of President Muhammadu Buhari and his own .
” These children are all ours and we are obliged to pray to seek for their safe return. I am glad that the parents who also spoke expressed courage.
” They have also acknowledged that the security agents did the best they could and they are still doing their very best, Equally, the school authorities, Principal, Teachers and other staff,” the Governor, added .
Bagudu urged all and sundry to continue to be fair minded, pray and exchange information, adding, ” by God’s grace, our children will come back to us .”
Also speaking, the Principal of the College, Alhaji Yusuf described the incident as unfortunate, adding, ” it is a very sad week for all of us.”
He also commiserated with Buhari ,Bagudu and the parents and expressed hope that the abductees will be rescued alive.
Yusuf also disclosed that the number of the abducted students was still being ascertained.
The Principal prayed the Almighty Allah to enrich Bagudu with health, wisdom and ability to successfully pilot the affairs of the state.
The State House of Assembly member representing the area, Hon. Adamu Muhammad Birnin Yauri and the Chairman of Ngaski Local Government Area, Hon Buhari Abdullahi commended the governor for the sympathy visit and his quick response to the matter.
They told the governor the gallant effort of the security to repel the attack even though they were outnumbered by the bandits.
The Ngaski Local Government Chairman narrated how the bandits also carted away property and rustled cattle in the area.
Cross section of the parents and teachers who spoke appreciated the Swift response of the security to repel the attack .
They thanked the governor for the sympathy visit as well as his quick intervention on the matter, saying that his visit has given them fresh hope.
One of the parents told the governor that his visit had given her hope and inspiration that her abducted children would be rescued. She appealed to other parents to fervently pray for the success of the rescue operation.
The governor was at the Palace of Emir of Yauri Dr. Zaiyanu Abdullahi to sympathise with him over the abduction of the school children.
The Emir of Yauri has charged government to have the political will to deal with banditry and any form of terrorism in the country.
The emir also called on people in the various localities to see it as their duty to expose those serving as informants to bandits in their communities.
He applauded the efforts of the governor for his concern since the students were taken by the bandits while enjoining people in the community to support government in its effort to deal with banditry and restore peace to the state.
He explained the effort of his emirate to come together and complement effort of the Government to deal with security challenges in the area.
Governor Bagudu also visited Yauri General Hospital where he sympathised with victims of bandits attack .
While the governor was on his way back to Birnin-kebbi with his entourage, hundreds of people along Ngaski, Yauri, Koko, Maiyama, Jega and Birnin Kebbi road waved and praised the governor for his quick response that led to the rescue of some students and staff.
