By Ken Afor
Barely 24 hours after the abduction of dozens of school children and staff from Government Secondary School and LEA primary school in Kuriga, Chikun Local Government Area (LGA) in Kaduna, the state Governor, Uba Sani, has proposed the establishment of a military base to strengthen security in the area.
The Governor made this known during his visit to the community on Friday.
While the exact number of those kidnapped has not yet been determined, the Governor stated that efforts are underway by the government, school management, and the community to ascertain the accurate figure.
The governor informed the community that he had received commitments of assistance from President Bola Tinubu and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to ensure the safe return of the abducted students.
He encouraged community members not to lose hope but to collaborate with the government in efforts to secure the release of the children and to strengthen security measures in the area.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Sani made a specific plea to the parents of the abducted children, urging them to remain patient and assuring them that the government would continue its efforts to secure the safe return of their children.
He expressed personal distress over the incident and emphasized his determination to reunite the primary and secondary school pupils with their families.
Additionally, Sani was briefed on the situation by the District Head, Alhaji Lawal Abdullahi, at LEA Primary and Secondary School in Kuriga, where a brave vigilante member lost his life while confronting the bandits.
He mentioned that both the President and the NSA have provided “strong assurances” that all necessary measures have been put in place to ensure the safe return of the abducted pupils and students.
He said: “A security committee will be established in Kuriga, with membership drawn from key stakeholders in the Kuriga community, security agencies, and the state government.
“I will make a strong case to the Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Army Staff for the establishment of a military base in Kuriga to strengthen security in the area.”
Meanwhile, in a subsequent statement, the governor reportedly emphasized that the Kuriga incident further highlights the necessity for the establishment of state police.
He added that state police would have the capacity to gather intelligence more effectively and would be legally authorized to carry firearms, including advanced weaponry.
This is seen as crucial according to the governor because vigilante groups, lacking such authority, are unable to carry firearms and are therefore vulnerable to criminal elements who show little regard for human life.
“The unfortunate Kuriga incident reinforces our positions in support of the establishment of state police.
“With State Police, there will be a standing police force in Kuriga drawn from members of the community who understand the terrain, the people, and the issues at play.
“They can gather intelligence with ease. They will also be constitutionally empowered to bear arms, including sophisticated ones.
“This is important because vigilante groups are not allowed to carry arms.
“They are always at the mercy of these criminal elements who have scant regard for human life,” he added.
