Governor Mohammed Bago of Niger State has acknowledged the abduction of 315 students and teachers from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, three weeks after initially denying the incident.
The governor had also described reports of the incident as “exaggerated”.
However, after acknowledging the incident on Friday, he promised to appoint Papiri indigenes to positions in his government as part of efforts to address the situation.
Speaking during a swearing-in ceremony for commissioners, council chairmen, and board members in Minna, Bago said, “I will appoint people from Papiri into various positions.
“Oh God, rescue Niger State, rescue our children, and restore lasting peace. We want a new Niger where everyone has a chance to succeed.”
Bago also reassured that efforts are ongoing to rescue the remaining students and their teachers who are still in captivity, noting, “We have already secured the freedom of 100.”
Recall that 100 out of the 259 children, who were released from their captors, were handed over to the governor by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, on Monday.
