Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, has called for the safe and unconditional release of over 287 students and their principal abducted in Kaduna State.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, the Minister described the attack as barbaric and heinous, even as he indicated his willingness to visit the scene of the incident.
Mamman said the Ministry is in touch with the Kaduna State Government, stressing that the Federal Government would ensure the safety of schools across the country under the Safe School Initiative.
He said: “It’s a very sad day for the country. And we appeal to the security agencies to do everything possible including the government of Kaduna State to rescue and bring back these young ones and their teachers unhurt.
“We will be working with the security agencies to ensure that we bring to end this type of thing under the Safe School project of the Federal Government.
“We sincerely hope these young ones are brought back even before the Ramadan season starts. Our brothers and sisters are already observing the Lent. So we commit them to prayers to the Almighty to protect them and bring them back safely home.
“We are terribly concerned about this development. And make appropriate appeal to those whose responsibilities is to bring back our children to work as quickly as possible so that these children are returned back to their homes and back to school safely.”
