•Vows to review age limit for children into boarding schools

From John Adams, Minna

Niger Governor, Umaru Mohammed Bago, has vowed to review the age limit for children to be admitted into boarding schools in the state, saying it was irresponsible for any parents to take his or her child of less than five years to a boarding school.

He stated this in Minna yesterday when he received the remaining 130 abducted children and teachers of St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri in Agwara Local Government Area at the Government House.

Governor Bago maintained that some parents do not want to take responsibility for their children, stressing that “these are things that the government will look into in the very near future.”

He blamed the school management and the Catholic Church for the discrepancies in the actual figures of children abducted on November 21 when the terrorists invaded the school.

Bago disclosed that from available information from the Office of the National Security Adviser, the actual number of the abducted students was 230, adding that “the issue of figures will be addressed by the school authority and the Catholic Church.”

The management of the school and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) had earlier said 315 students from both the primary and the secondary section, including 12 Teachers were abducted.

However, while 50 were said to have escaped on the night of the abduction, the management insisted that 265 were still being held by the terrorists.

But two weeks ago, 100 of the students were released by their abductors while on Monday another 130 were handed over to the state government, bringing the total number to 230.

“The information available to the Office of the NSA and to the Department of State Service is that there were 230 that were actually abducted. You know, all in all, with the teachers and everything. The important thing now is that we have been able to get them back. I don’t want us to go back, let us forget about the numbers. I’m sure the church and the school understand exactly why there were errors. Initially, because of panic, every other issue can be responsible.”

He also dismissed insinuations that ransom running into billions of naira was paid for their release. “Whether money was paid or not, the most important thing is that the children are back, the next line of action will be left to the government.”

He maintained that the release of the children will enable their parents to celebrate the Christmas with joy and happiness. “We are hopeful that we will reunite these children with their families by the grace of God immediately so that they can do the Christmas together.”

He described the physical appearance of the children who have spent one month in captivity as touching and pathetic.

“But seeing the size of the children is really, really touching. Two years old and in captivity, you know, it is very, very touching. Let me thank God for the mercy he has shown us, because if you look at these children and imagine the trauma they went through, it is unbearable.

“From the last time they brought the first 100, I told you they were very small but looking at these children now, their condition is scary. However, we are grateful to God because at least we’ve gotten these children back.”

He thanked the President, the NSA, the DSS, the Nigerian Army and everybody for their support in ensuring the children were rescued safely and unhurt, insisting that it would not have been possible without everybody’s hands on deck.

He said the rescue of the children was one that is unprecedented in the history of Nigeria as it is rarely possible that a large number of people were abducted and rescued unhurt, “it has never happened like this in Nigeria for you to get everybody back unhurt.”

Representative of the NSA and coordinator of the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Adamu Garba Laka, said the rescue was due to the sustained efforts of the DSS and the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, the Nigerian Army, with the guidance of the Chief of Army Staff who played a significant role in ensuring the success of this operation.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the Office of the National Security Adviser to the security of every Nigerian adding that they will continue to lead and coordinate measures to protect communities and institutions across the country.