- Zamfara Govt, State’s CP Fault Viral Reports On Girls’ Release
- ‘Jangebe Schoolgirls Abduction Will Be The Last’ — Buhari
From Segun Amure, (The New Diplomat’s Abuja Bureau)
The back and forth on the status of the schoolgirls kidnapped from Government Secondary School in Jangebe, Zamfara state, has given room for controversy and speculations among members of the Nigerian public.
On Sunday afternoon, it was widely reported in the Nigerian media that the abducted schoolgirls have been released and were at the palace of the Emir of Anka, waiting to be transported to Gusau, the state capital.
But no sooner had the reports gone out than the Zamfara State government and the state’s police command faulted them, as they said the girls were yet to regain their freedom from captors.
Recall over 300 girls were carted away from the Jangebe school on Friday when bandits struck early morning, in a continuation of their reign of terror in the Northwest region of the country.
Reacting to the viral reports of the girls’ release, Zamfara state Commissioner for Information and Culture, Suleiman Tunau Anka, tweeted Sunday afternoon that the students were yet to be released.
“It’s not true. But, the state government and securities are trying their best.” he tweeted.
Similarly, Yusuf Idris, media aide to Governor Bello Matawalle affirmed that efforts were still ongoing to secure their release.
“The governor’s spokesperson, Mr Idris, also urged the public to ignore the media reports that the students had been released, calling on the parents and residents of the state to pray for the safe return of the students.
“The state government is committed to the safe return of the students sooner or later, we should please exercise patience,” He said.
In a related development, the commissioner of police in the state, Abutu Yaro, also said the girls were yet to be released.
His statement reads, “I want to call the attention of the good people of Zamfara State, they should disregard any news regarding the release of the abducted students of GGSS Jangebe, It’s not true. But, Alhamdulillah, the state government and security forces are trying their best,” he said in a short message he made available to our reporter.”
Buhari: ‘Jangebe Schoolgirls Abduction Will Be The Last’
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari, Sunday vowed that the abduction of female students of Government Girls Science Secondary School, Jangebe, would be the last case of school kidnap in the country.
President Buhari spoke through Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, who led a federal government delegation to sympathize with the people of Zamfara State and most importantly, parents of the abducted students.
President Buhari said government has all the resources and wherewithal to deal with the criminals and will continue to partner with Zamfara to combat insecurity in the state.
President Buhari’s statement read, “the President is saddened by the abduction of the students from Jangebe and reassures you that the government has all the resources and wherewithal to contain these criminals.
“Buhari also commended Gov. Bello Matawalle over his efforts against armed banditry and promised a continued support to bring lasting peace.
“The federal government will continue its partnership with Zamfara government and its citizens in resolving the security challenges facing the state,” Buhari said.
In his response, Gov. Matawalle appreciated Buhari and the federal government’s concern, noting that very soon the abductees would regain their freedom.
“I strongly believe in the president and his effort in fighting all forms of insurgency and urge him to improve on the nation’s security.
”This is by ensuring synergy among the security agencies so that confrontations with criminals can be coordinated on ground and air simultaneously,” the governor said.
Government officials on trip include- The Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Maigari Dingyadi, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Hajiya Sa’adiya Umar-Faruk and Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Pauline Tellan.
