President Muhammadu Buhari, on Wednesday evening, met behind closed-doors with the Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sanni Bello, at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The Governor was at the State House to brief the Nigerian leader on the security situation in Niger State, especially the abduction of students and some staff of Government Science Secondary School (GSSS), Kagara, Rafi Local Government Area of the State in the early hours of Wednesday.
The President had earlier in the day condemned the act and dispatched a team of Service Chiefs to the state to coordinate the rescue efforts in the state.
Until normalcy is restored
The President also expressed sadness over the killing of one pupil by the kidnappers, vowing not to relent until normalcy is restored in the security situation in the country.
Speaking to State House Correspondents after the meeting with the President, Governor Bello expressed his support for the declaration of a state of emergency on security as proposed by the senate, pointing out that all parts of the country are currently in security crisis.
While thanking President Buhari for swiftly ordering actions on the school kidnap, the Governor said he had requested for more security personnel and equipment to fast-track results.
He said: “At the moment, if you look at what is happening, we are having security challenges in almost all parts of the country, so yes there’s a need to install some form of emergency on security matters across board. So yes, I think the Senate acted in good faith. Something definitely needs to be done.
“To be honest, I’m very convinced by what Mr President told me and I feel I’ve seen the presence of the military in Kagara, I was there earlier today, and I also request for some additional personnel and equipment, which I believe will be granted any moment from now.
“Right now, our immediate priority is to get the kidnapped victims released, after that I think we must have a long lasting solution to the farmers/herders conflicts,” he said.
Fnd lasting solution
Speaking on his reason for visiting the President, he said he came to thank Mr President for his quick response to the plight of his people following two kidnap incidences and then rubbed minds on what to be done to find lasting solution to the situation.
He said President Buhari has confirmed that the matter would be given proper attention through continuous engagement of the service chiefs and the government so as to guide and advice them on what to be done.
Lateefah Ibrahim
