Ogun State Governor and Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has expressed delight over the release of the remaining 130 students of St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri community in Niger State, who were previously held in captivity by kidnappers.
The governor described the development as a clear indication that evil forces will not triumph over Nigeria, noting that the latest release brings the total number of freed students from the school to 230, following the earlier release of 100 students earlier in the month.
In a statement issued in Abeokuta on Sunday, Abiodun said the safe release of the students fulfils President Bola Tinubu’s pledge to secure their freedom without harm and ensure their reunion with their parents.
“I am extremely delighted to learn that the remaining 130 students of St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri community, Niger State, who were hitherto in captivity, have been released,” the governor said.
“The students, their parents, the Papiri community and the Government of Niger State have all been through a lot, and I rejoice with them in this moment of triumph over the forces of darkness who seized innocent students from their hostels and their teachers from the school grounds.”
Abiodun commended President Tinubu for the security measures put in place by his administration, noting that the steady release of abducted persons across the country has helped to restore public confidence in government.
He cited the release of 24 abducted persons in Kebbi State, 100 students from a Catholic school in Niger State, and Christian worshippers abducted in Eruku, Kwara State, as evidence of the President’s capacity to confront Nigeria’s security challenges head-on.
“If this incident shows anything, it is the fact that the Bola Tinubu administration is committed to a safe, secure and prosperous Nigeria, and deserves our collective prayers and moral support,” Abiodun added.
The governor noted that it was particularly heartwarming that the rescued students and their families would be able to celebrate the Yuletide season together after their traumatic experience.
He also applauded the security agencies for their role in securing the release of the victims, while urging them to ensure that those responsible for the abductions are brought to justice.
“The President is determined to tackle the upsurge of kidnapping and terrorist attacks and bring sanity back to our society, which will invariably restore the confidence of Nigerians and the international community in the government and attract massive development,” he said.
“The security agencies deserve plaudits for this feat. I also urge them to ensure that the terrorists behind the attacks on innocent and law-abiding Nigerians are hunted down and prosecuted to the fullest extent allowed by law.”
