FROM SAMSON ALFA, MINNA
National Security Adviser, NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has assured parents of the abducted students of St Mary’s Catholic School, Agwara inNiger State of their safe return including their teachers.
Ribadu gave the assurance yesterday when he visited the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese and Proprietor of the school, Most Reverend Bulus Yohanna and parents of the kidnapped children at St Michael’s Catholic Cathedral, Kontagora.
The NSA said efforts are in top gear to ensure the return of the students and their teachers.
He reinterated President Bola Tinubu’s message of hope and assurance, and asked Nigerians to join hands together to defeat the common enemy causing havoc in the country.
According to him “this is a very solemn and difficult moment for us, especially after hearing from some of the parents and all of you. However, we take responsibility because it is our duty to protect you.
“Enough is enough, we will not relent in our efforts, we are all under attack, let us not allow bad people to divide us, let us not allow evil to get into us”, Ribadu retorted.
The NSA was accompanied by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Bernard Doro, Director-General of the Department of State Services, DSS, Oluwatosin Ajayi and Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Northern Nigeria, Reverend Joseph Hayab.
Ribadu commended Bishop Yohanna for standing firm and unwavering despite frustrations from some quarters about the abduction, saying “you are not alone, I can assure you we are together in this strugle.
“Many good people from all over the world are coming to support us, including the United States of America. We appreciate everyone especially the European countries like France, the United Kingdom.
He added that “the whole world is coming together to stop and defeat this evil which has been going on in Nigeria for two decades”.
Ribadu assured that the children will come back safely. God is with them and God is with us. Evil will never win. They are going to come back, I give you the assurance.
“Mr President said I should thank you, Bishop Yohanna for your understanding and patience, for giving us the right information and by standing by for us. We are one”.
“You will see our reactions and responses now, one thing I know is that, evil people will always be around, but this thing they have done is what will change Nigeria for good”.
Earlier, Bishop Yohanna thanked President Tinubu and the NSA for giving hope of the return of the teachers and students.
He presented hard copies of the report to the NSA after which they went into a closed- door meeting that lasted for about 30 minutes.
The Principal of the school, Reverend Sister Felicia Gyang and a representative of the parents, Mr Luka Iliya narrated how the incident happened and their current state of mind.
AljazirahNigeria, however, reports that there was no representative of the Niger State government during the visit.
