We May Resort To Military Operations To Rescue Abducted Islamiya School Children – Niger govt

Gov Abubakar Sani Bello

Following the abduction of pupils of Salihu Tanko Islamiyya School in Tegina by bandits, the Niger State government says it might engage military operations to rescue them.

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ibrahim Ahmed Matane who said this in Minna, explained that the government may have to embark on such a move if the option of negotiation without payment of ransom fails to yield the desired result.

This may not be unconnected to the statements coming from the parents of the abducted pupils that they have resigned to fate and divine intervention for the freedom of their children.

Some of the parents of the children who spoke to the BBC Hausa Service yesterday said they have submitted to the will of God over their children as no serious progress has been made by the government.

The SSG said the government is aware of the plight of parents whose children are still in captivity and is worried over the delay that has kept them with their abductors since the 30th of May, 2021.

He said the recent visit of the governor to the parents and the setting up of a joint security operation was an indication that it may take kinetic action to ensure the safe rescue of the children

Matane who disclosed that the government knows the exact location where the 136 children are kept by their abductors said, “We know the location where they are, we are very careful of any untoward situation; we do not want to hurt the children while resorting to military operations.”

On the conditions of the children since the government is aware of their location, Matane said, “From the information, we get from the 14 people who escaped last week, we know the conditions of the children, abductees cannot be comfortable in captive, it is therefore very difficult to ascertain their condition now.”

“The state government is looking at other options of negotiation devoid of payment of ransom before taking “kinetic action” (military operation).”

The Niger State Government spokesman said, “The parents of the pupils abducted were in touch with the bandits who were demanding money; the parents garnered what they have, but we made it clear that this government does not pay ransom.”

DAILY POST also learnt that one of the kidnapped pupils, an eleven-year-old has escaped from their Kidnappers.

The escapee Zaynab Salle Boka allegedly escaped through Pandogari town where she was rescued by an Okada rider who carried her to the village head of Allawa Mallam Umaru.

The Bandits are currently allegedly demanding the sum of N150 million as ransom.