Vice President Kashim Shettima has assured families of the abducted schoolgirls in Kebbi State, as well as those of the late Musa Uba, a Brigadier-General, and the late vice principal of the school, that the Federal Government is ready to support them and will spare no effort in securing the release of the children from their abductors.
Shettima, who led the Federal Government’s delegation to commiserate with the state government and the people of Kebbi, noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is deeply troubled by the tragic incidents.
He vowed that the government will deploy all instruments of state to rescue the schoolchildren and ensure that their abductors, as well as the killers of the gallant military officer and the vice principal, are brought to justice.
Read also: Tinubu mourns Musa Uba, other fallen soldiers, vows safe return of kidnapped Kebbi schoolgirls
Speaking in Birnin Kebbi, the Kebbi State capital, on President Tinubu’s directive, the Vice President described the abduction of the schoolgirls from the boarding school in Manga as an assault on the collective conscience of Nigerians.
Conveying President Tinubu’s sympathy to the families of the abducted girls and the state government, Shettima said: “Kebbi’s pain is Nigeria’s pain. When one child is taken, every home in this nation grieves. When girls in the safety of their classroom are seized by criminals, our collective conscience is assaulted.
“Mr President is deeply troubled by this tragedy. He shares your anguish, and he has sent me to assure you that this is not a moment for politics. This grief transcends party lines, geography and identity. This is a time for unity, for compassion, and for firm resolve in the face of evil. Our priority is singular and unflinching: our daughters must return home safely.”
On behalf of the President, Shettima assured the affected families that their tears, fears and cries are a stain on Nigeria’s collective conscience, and that the nation “shall not turn away from this responsibility.”
“This government will not relent. We will use every instrument of the state to bring these girls home and to ensure that the perpetrators of this wickedness face the full weight of justice. Kebbi, you are not alone. Nigeria stands with you. And we shall not rest until your daughters return to your warm embrace,” he vowed.
“We also honour the ultimate sacrifice made by some of our brave officers. To the family of the late Brigadier-General Musa Uba, we say: his sacrifice will never be forgotten. When a soldier gives his life in defence of this nation, a part of our collective soul is touched. We will honour him, his family, and all who pay the supreme price in service to Nigeria,” he stated.
Shettima applauded Nasir Idris, the Governor of Kebbi State, community leaders, traditional rulers, local vigilante groups, civil society partners, and all stakeholders for rallying together in the moment of distress.
“Your cooperation, your vigilance, and your unity are indispensable to the search for our girls and to the safety of our communities,” he said.
He also commended the gallant officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and all paramilitary and intelligence agencies for their gallantry in the face of security challenges confronting the nation.
“Your courage, your tirelessness, and your sacrifices—often unseen and unsung—remain the backbone of our nation’s security. You stand on the frontline so that the rest of us may sleep with hope. The nation appreciates you,” he said.
On his his part, the Governor Idris thanked President Tinubu for the show of support, concern and immense leadership.
He said that since the incidents occurred, the President had been in touch with the state government, noting that with the commitment and efforts of the government, he was optimistic that the kidnapped schoolgirls would soon be rescued.
Governor Idris particularly thanked Vice President Shettima for the show of concern, affirming the state’s commitment and loyalty to the Tinubu administration, and vowing continued partnership and cooperation with the Federal Government to ensure the release of the girls.
“We, in Kebbi, are most touched by the show of concern and deepened actions being taking to rescue our girls. I am optimistic that they will be rescued. It is a painful experience but we also will ensure that we put all in place to avert any of such future occurrence.
“We thank Mr President here, ably represented by our very own Vice President. We thank you for the concern, and the communications and actions behind the scene thus far. We deeply appreciate, sir,” the Governor stated.
Also present at the event were Nantawe Yitwada, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC); Umar Tafida, Deputy Governor of Kebbi State; Abubakar Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning; Iman Suleiman Ibrahim, Minister of Women Affairs; Bernard Doro, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs; and Tanko Yusuf, Minister of State, Humanitarian Affairs.
