- Minister Mamman urges swift action to rescue 287 kidnapped students and teachers in Kaduna State, emphasizing the urgency of their safe return
- He expresses solidarity with affected families and underscores the importance of the Safe School project in addressing security challenges
Prof Tahir Mamman, the Minister of Education, has made an impassioned plea to the Kaduna state government and security authorities, urging swift action to rescue the 287 students and teachers who were kidnapped in Kaduna State.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, the Minister emphasized the urgency of ensuring the safe return of the abducted individuals, ideally before the onset of Ramadan.
“We thought that we had put this behind us, only for it to resurface again last night,” he lamented. “This kidnapping is deeply troubling because providing a secure environment for our children’s education is a cornerstone of our policies, and incidents like this contribute to low school attendance.”
Expressing solidarity with the affected families, particularly the students who were preparing for their futures, the Minister called for concerted efforts to ensure the safe return of the abducted individuals. He underscored the importance of the Federal Government’s Safe School project in addressing such security challenges.
“We fervently hope that these youngsters will be reunited with their families even before the start of Ramadan,” Mamman stated. “As our fellow citizens observe Lent, we offer our prayers for their protection and safe return home.”
The Minister reiterated the government’s grave concern over the situation and appealed to the relevant authorities to expedite efforts in securing the release of the abducted students and teachers, pledging full support through collaboration, resources, and information sharing.
He affirmed, “We maintain close communication with the Kaduna government and security agencies, offering assistance in strategy, information, and financing through the Safe School project.”