Buhari describes Dapchi abduction as a national disaster, says missing girls will be found

President Muhammadu Buhari has described as a national disaster, the abduction of students of Government Girls’ Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe state, saying his government is doing its best to secure their release.

In a statement by Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, Buhari said he has instructed all security agencies to see to it that the girls return safely and the perpetrators face justice.

He said he gave the orders immediately he received the “devastating news”.

“We are sorry that this could have happened and share your pain,” he said

“When I received the devastating news of the attack on the school and the fact that the local authorities could not account for all the students, I immediately dispatched a high-level delegation on a fact-finding visit to the town.

“I also instructed the security agencies to deploy in full and not spare any effort to ensure that all the girls are returned safely, and the attackers arrested and made to face justice.

“The entire country stands as one with the girls’ families, the government and the people of Yobe State.

“This is a national disaster. We are sorry that this could have happened and share your pain.

“We pray that our gallant armed forces will locate and safely return your missing family members.

“Our government is sending more troops and surveillance aircraft to keep an eye on all movements in the entire territory on a 24-hour basis, in the hope that all the missing girls will be found .”