Parents of the 39 abducted students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka, Kaduna have again pleaded with government to ensure the immediate and safe release of their children.
Speaking at a press conference, the Chairman of the parent’s forum, Kambai Sam called the attention of government at both State and Federal levels, and stakeholders involved to ensure the immediate release of their children.
Mr Sam said the forum was demanding government to rescue their children by all means and within 48 hours so that the process of their rehabilitation can commence because the longer they stay in captivity the worse off.
According to him, the parents are of the opinion that enough is not being done. “Indeed, the failure, negligence or refusal of the government to keep us in the loop as regards the measures they are taking as well as subsequent kidnap of students in Kaduna state has heightened our anxiety on the safety of our children.”
Mr Sam lamented that, this kind of ugly event happened in Katsina, Zamfara and Niger states but the governments acted swiftly and ensured the safe and timely rescue of the victims, but the case is different with the Afaka 39 students.
“Why should our innocent children pay for the failure of government to provide security of life and property? Or is it now a crime to seek education in schools? Let us not forget that the students were taken in bad shape, some were barely covering themselves, especially the ladies. This is a dangerous thing and should have made the government to act faster.”
“It is now 12 dark dreary days since the unfortunate incident happened and we as parents have not received any positive message from either the school management, the Minister of Environment or Kaduna State government”.
The forum therefore called on all stakeholders to prevail on the authorities to ensure the speedy rescue of the Afaka 39. “Unless that is done, we will continue to hold the feet of the authorities to the fire until our children return safely.”
On the night of 11th March, 2021, gunmen invaded the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation and forcefully abducted 39 students of the Institution at gun point; 23 of them are female students while 16 are male. Several others sustained varying degrees of injuries while running for their dear lives.
Lateefah Ibrahim
