The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has vowed to rescue all the 287 students abducted by terrorists from a school in Kuriga, Kaduna State last week.
The Police Chief made the vow on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, when he undertook a visit to the State for a firsthand assessment of the situation.
TheFact Daily recalls that on Thursday last week, terrorists abducted students from a school in Kuriga, a town in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, and marched them into the forest unchallenged.
This event brought to the limelight and possibly a climax the tragic episodes of a years-long reign of terror in the community. It will be recalled also that at the time the bandits arrived, the community was still healing from the mindless killing of Idris Sufyan, the principal of Government Secondary School, Kuriga. The terrorists who shot him in January, in his house, also whisked away his wife and their baby; although the two were later rescued in a joint military operation on 3 February.
The worsening terror activities forced stakeholders to move the secondary school from its remote site about three years ago and merge it with the primary school situated in the heart of the town.
The IGP during his visit, met with the Governor and extended heartfelt sympathies to the people of Kaduna State, particularly the Kuriga community affected by this tragic incident, and assured that both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches are being vigorously pursued to secure the release of the students and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Furthermore, in a bid to bolster security efforts, the IGP also announced the immediate deployment of a full-armed and ready unit of mobile policemen to the Kuriga Community to enhance security in the affected area and facilitate swift action towards the rescue operation.
In his response, the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, reaffirmed the government’s readiness to support the police in their rescue efforts and assured of continuous assistance and provision of support to the deployed officers.
He also cautioned against sensational reportage by the media, urging for responsible journalism during this challenging period.
IGP Egbetokun, who engaged with police officers at the Police Command and the Police College, reiterated that the task ahead of the Nigeria Police Force is critical and will be carried out assiduously to ensure the safety and security of all citizens.
He urged the public to remain calm and cooperate with the Police and other relevant security agencies in the tireless duty towards a swift resolution of the present security challenges in our dear county.
The IGP was accompanied on the assessment visit by the DIG in charge of the Force Intelligence Department, Habu Sani, DIG Department of Operations, Ede Ayuba Ekpeji, AIG Police Mobile Force, Yekini Adio Ayoku, and other senior police officers.
