By Paul Effiong, Abuja
The National Assembly Caucus from Niger State has expressed deep concern over the kidnapping of students from St. Mary’s Catholic School, Agwara Local Government Area describing it as a tragic reminder of the worsening insecurity confronting the state and Nigeria at large.
Lawmakers equally unformed that the recent attack by armed terrorists has once again exposed the vulnerabilities of rural communities most expecially in border areas.
This was contained in a strong worded statement jointly signed by Senator Mohammed Sani Musa and Hon. Abdullahi Garba on behalf of ten other federal legislators and made available to journalists covering National Assembly at the weekend.
The caucus further declared its full solidarity with Mohammed Umaru Bago, the Niger State Government as well as the people of Agwara LGA.
Lawmakers from Niger state equally explained that the abduction has thrown families and the entire community invluding the state into fear and anguish.
While extended their heart felt prayers to the affected children, their parents, teachers as well as all who are traumatized by by the incident, lawmakers further described as a “senseless and unacceptable”.
In the statement legislators equally emphasized that no child in Niger State should be left at the mercy of terrorists.
As representatives of the people, the lawmakers strongly condemned the criminal act even as they also vowed to collaborate with security agencies in order to ensure the immediate and safe rescue of the abducted pupils.
They used the opportunity to reaffirm their determination to support every legitimate effort aimed at restoring security and preventing further attacks on schools and vulnerable communities across the state.
The caucus insisted that the safety of children must remain a top national priority to everyone and most especially to government.
The press statement equally highlighted the growing security challenges across Niger State and Northern Nigeria, noting that the Agwara incident reflects a troubling pattern of banditry, mass abductions as well as terrorism that has destabilized communities and disrupted livelihoods.
The caucus therefore used the opportunity to call for urgent and enhanced military deployment in order to improve intelligence gathering, stronger inter-agency coordination including increased Federal Government intervention most expecially in border communities like Agwara.
Lawmakers also reaffirmed their commitment to the Niger State government even as they pledged to intensify engagement with the Federal Government as well as advocate for better equipped security agencies and pursue legislative reforms that will strengthen the national security architecture.
They, however appealed to Niger state residents to remain calm and vigilant while urging security operatives to step up delebrate efforts to rescue the students as well as urgently bring all the perpetrators to justice.
