Vice President Kashim Shettima on Wednesday conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s message to families of the abducted Kebbi schoolgirls, saying the President is “deeply troubled” by the attack and has directed security agencies to deploy every instrument of the state to rescue the children and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Shettima vowed that the government would deploy all instruments of the state to rescue the schoolchildren and ensure the arrest of their abductors.
The Vice President spoke in Birnin Kebbi, the Kebbi State capital, when, on the directive of President, he visited families of at least 24 girls abducted from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi State.
“Shettima described the abduction of the schoolgirls as an assault on the collective conscience of all Nigerians,” Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Communication, Stanley Nkwocha, said in a statement he signed on Wednesday.
The statement is titled, “Kebbi School Girls: President Tinubu, deeply troubled, shares your anguish, VP Shettima tells victims’ families.”
The Vice President also affirmed that the killers of the “gallant military general” and the vice principal would face the full weight of justice.
“Mr President is deeply troubled by this tragedy. He shares your anguish, and he has sent me to assure you that this is not a moment for politics.
“This grief transcends party lines, geography and identity. This is a time for unity, for compassion and for firm resolve in the face of evil.
“Our priority is singular and unflinching: our daughters must return home safely,” Shettima stated.
He described their pain as Nigeria’s pain, adding that the abduction of one child throws every home into grief.
“When girls in the safety of their classroom are seized by criminals, our collective conscience is assaulted,” Shettima said.
The Vice President also conveyed condolences to families of the slain Vice Principal and Brigadier-General Musa Uba, killed while fighting insurgents in Borno State.
“This government will not relent. We will use every instrument of the state to bring these girls home and to ensure that the perpetrators of this wickedness face the full weight of justice.
“Kebbi, you are not alone. Nigeria stands with you. And we shall not rest until your daughters return to your warm embrace,” he said.
Shettima added, “We also honour the ultimate sacrifice made by some of our brave officers.
“To the family of the late Brigadier-General Musa Uba, we say: his sacrifice will never be forgotten.
“When a soldier gives his life in defence of this nation, a part of our collective soul is touched. We will honour him, his family, and all who pay the supreme price in service to Nigeria.”
Shettima praised Governor Mohammed Idris, community leaders, traditional rulers, vigilantes and civil society partners for rallying in the aftermath of the attack, urging tighter community–security collaboration as search-and-rescue operations intensify across the North-West corridors.
“Your cooperation, your vigilance and your unity are indispensable to the search for our girls and to the safety of our communities.
“Your courage, your tirelessness and your sacrifices, often unseen and unsung, remain the backbone of our nation’s security.
“You stand on the frontlines so that the rest of us may sleep with hope. The nation appreciates you,” the VP added.
Idris thanked the President for the swift show of support, saying the state remains in close contact with federal authorities and is “optimistic” about the girls’ safe return. He pledged additional measures to prevent future attacks on schools.
Wednesday’s visit follows the early-Monday raid on the Maga boarding school in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area, where gunmen killed the Vice Principal and abducted at least two dozen students.
The assault recalls a pattern of school kidnappings in northern states since 2014, including Birnin Yauri (Kebbi) in 2021.
Among officials at the engagement were the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda; Deputy Governor Umar Tafida; Ministers Atiku Bagudu, Imaan Ibrahim, Bernard Doro and Tanko Yusuf Sununu; lawmakers, senior state officials; and heads of security and response agencies.
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