The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has described the rescue of some abducted students of St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papyri, Niger State, as a moment of deep national relief.
Idris made the remarks on Wednesday when he led a Federal Government delegation to the Niger State Government House in Minna to convey the government’s gratitude and share in the joy that greeted the children’s safe return. The delegation was received by Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago.
“The rescue of these children is a moment of profound relief for their families and for the entire nation. We are grateful for the tireless work of our security agencies, the swift response of the Niger State Government, and the strong community cooperation that made this outcome possible,” the minister said.
He commended the coordinated efforts of security agencies, the Niger State Government, and community stakeholders, noting that their collaboration was critical to the success of the operation.
Idris reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to strengthening security around schools nationwide, stressing that the safety and welfare of Nigerian children remain central to the federal government’s agenda.
“Our children must be able to learn in safety. The federal government is committed to working closely with states to boost school security and ensure that such violations of our collective peace have no place in our country,” he added.
Responding, Bago thanked the minister and his team for the visit and praised security agencies and local communities for their roles in securing the release of the pupils.
He reiterated the state’s readiness to continue collaborating with the federal government to enhance security and maintain social stability.
