Jangebe abduction will be the last – Buhari

PRESIDENT Buhari has assured Nigerians that the abduction of over 300 students from Government Girls Science Secondary School, Jangebe, will mark the end of kidnapping of students in Nigeria.

The president’s statement was relayed to the people and government of Zamfara yesterday by Hadi Sirika, the Minister of Aviation, who led a federal government delegation to sympathise with Governor Bello Matawalle.

According to Sirika, the Federal Government had developed new measures which would bring a complete end to all forms of criminality in the nation.

“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 of Zamfara’s efforts against armed banditry and promised continued support to bring lasting peace.

“The federal government will continue its partnership with the 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 insurgence 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.

Other members of the delegation were 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 Tallen.

Despite the government’s ongoing peace talks with bandits terrorising the Northwest region of the country, Zamfara State witnessed another attack from the armed criminals who abducted over 300 schools from Jangebe area of the state.

Governor Matawalle, however, has vowed not to “discontinue” the negotiations, claiming that the ugly development was orchestrated by those who are bent on sabotaging the progress of the initiative.

His continuation with the peace talks also means he has refused to heed Buhari’s instruction to state governors to stop rewarding bandits.