Ribadu Meets CAN Leaders, Gives Fresh Updates on Niger School Abduction
- National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu has held a strategic engagement with the Christian Association of Nigeria, parents, and staff of the abducted Niger students
- Ribadu assured that the abducted students and staff are in good condition and will soon be reunited with their families
- He emphasised that the federal government is committed to stopping terrorism and banditry in Nigeria
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Papiri, Niger state - The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has assured that the pupils and staff abducted from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, in Agwarra LGA of Niger state, will soon be back home.
Ribadu gave the assurance during a solidarity visit to Bishop Bulus Yohanna, the Catholic bishop of Kontagora Diocese and proprietor of the school, following the November 21 abduction in which gunmen seized 315 people, including 303 students and 12 teachers.
Source: Twitter
Ribadu said all of the abducted people are alive, in stable condition, and will soon be reunited with their families.
His comments also follow claims by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger state that about 50 abducted students escaped from captivity two days after the incident.
“This is a solemn and difficult moment for us, especially after hearing from parents and community leaders,” Ribadu said, according to a statement from the diocese. “We take responsibility because it is our duty to protect you. The children are doing fine, and they will be back soon.”
Niger school abduction: Tinubu is concerned
Ribadu added that President Bola Tinubu is personally concerned about the incident and halted official engagements to monitor developments.
“Mr. President is in pain; he is in sorrow just like all of us. He suspended his intended travel because of this matter,” he said.
Ribadu declared that the federal government would no longer tolerate criminal activities targeting vulnerable Nigerians, particularly children.
“Enough is enough. We will be relentless in our efforts. We are all under attack, and we must not allow bad people to divide us or weaken our resolve,” he said.
He noted that several international partners are supporting Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts.
“Many good people from all over the world are supporting us, including the United States, France, the United Kingdom, and others. The global community is coming together to defeat this evil that has plagued Nigeria for two decades,” he added.
CAN hails Rubadu on Niger abduction
Earlier, Bishop Yohanna thanked the President for his swift intervention and presented a report on the incident to the NSA. The two later held a closed-door meeting that lasted about 30 minutes.
Source: Twitter
Meanwhile, the Niger state chapter of CAN confirmed after the attack that 215 students and 12 staff were abducted, while about 50 students managed to escape and have since been reunited with their families.
The latest incident follows a series of mass kidnappings targeting schools in northern Nigeria, reigniting calls for stronger school security and coordinated community vigilance.
Full list of abducted Niger catholic school students
Legit.ng earlier reported that the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora has published the complete names of pupils, students, and teachers abducted from St Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools located in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger state.
According to the new list released by the Diocese, the list comprises a total of 265 names, including 12 teachers, 14 secondary school students and 239 primary school pupils.
See the full list here
Source: Legit.ng
