NATIONAL: Buhari welcomes release of kidnapped Kankara students

* Freed students spent night in Zamfara, to arrive Katsina today * Miyetti Allah played key role in the release, says Masari

PRESIDENT Buhari has described the safe return of kidnapped students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina State, as a big relief to their families, the entire country and international community.

The President made the remark last night after the news filtered in that the students, who were abducted by gunmen on Friday, December 11, had been released.

According to a statement by Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on media, Garba Shehu, the president in a short remark shortly after the students’ release was announced, “expressed the nation’s appreciation for the steps taken by all involved to make their release possible.

A total number of 344 students were released by the kidnappers after negotiation with the state government, according to Governor Aminu Masari. However, media reports put the number at 334.

Masari told Hausa service of the German radio, DeutcheWelle, that Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, was instrumental to securing the freedom of the students.

“Some hours ago, those assisting us in talks with the bandits said they have released all children in captivity. About 344 of them. And we have sent vehicles to transport them to Katsina. We will direct our doctors to carry out medical examination on the children tomorrow morning. They have spent six-day in the forest. We will change their clothes and we will hand them over to their parents,” said Governor Masari.

The schoolboys were said to have spent the night at Gusau in Zamfara State, and expected to be transferred to Katsina this morning.

The governor also insisted that Boko Haram had no hand in the abduction, rather they students were kidnapped by bandits.

The statement by Shehu continued, “President Buhari specifically cited what he called the “spirit of partnership and the collaborative efforts of the government of Katsina, Zamfara and military leading to the release.’’

“He commended the nation’s intelligence agencies, the military and police force for providing the environment for safe release of the hostages.

“The Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, and the army worked extremely hard. As soon as I got the information I congratulated them. The Armed Forces know their job. They have been well trained and properly motivated.”

Shehu said the president also gave assurances that he would ensure the safety of all “detainees held elsewhere in the country by either terrorists or bandits,” adding that his administration “is aware of its responsibility to protect the life and property of the Nigerians.”

“President Buhari urged the citizens to be patient and fair to the administration as it deals with the problems of security, economy and corruption,” noting
that his administration “was fully aware that it was elected to resolve challenges.”

“When we came, we made efforts that yielded the return of the Chibok Girls. When a similar incident of school abduction happened at Dapchi, we successfully returned all but one of the more than one hundred abductees. When this latest incident happened, we put in our efforts and today we have this result to show,” said Shehu quoting the president.

Shehu continued, “The President pointed to the successes of the administration in dealing with security in the South South and North East.

“He said the North West now presents a challenge which his administration is determined to deal with.”

“We have a lot of work to do, especially now that we have re-opened the borders. It is unfortunate that the bandits and terrorists continue to get weapons even under the circumstances of the border closure. We are going to dare them. We will deal with all that.”

“The president prayed for the full recovery of the students, whom he said had endured significant hardships in the course of their six-day ordeal.”