NIGER: Kagara’s abduction, plot to deprive north of education, say Governors

THE governors have described the abduction of students and staff of the Government Science School, Kagara as ” a deliberate plot to deprive the region of education”.

The governors said this in a statement issued today by the Chairman of NGF who also doubles as Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong.

The governors, who unanimously condemned the ugly development, said students should not be subjected to reprehensible acts because of their desire to acquire formal education.

The statement read, “We totally condemn the abduction of the school children who did nothing wrong than go to school to seek education. This is a sad and reprehensible act that must not be tolerated whatever the motive of the criminals.

“It is an act that further compounds the efforts to enroll more children into schools particularly in the Northern region where illiteracy is very high and enrolment is gradually appreciating after sustained efforts by Government and development partners.”

The statement signed by Governor Lalong’s Director of Press and Press Affairs, Makut Macham, said the quick action taken by security forces to ensure the safe return of the abductees is reassuring.

He sympathised with the parents and families of the victims, urging them not to lose hope even as they go through this traumatic period.

He asked Nigerians to rally around the distraught families and support the security forces with useful information that will ensure that those behind this unfortunate development are apprehended and brought to book.

He said the Northern governors will collectively work in solidarity with their colleague Governor Abubakar Sani Bello to not only ensure that this present situation is resolved swiftly but bring to an end this unacceptable spate of banditry and destruction of lives and properties that is affecting the state, other parts of the region and the nation at large.