Kagara abductions: Niger gov meets Buhari, seeks ‘everlasting’ solution to insecurity

President Muhammadu Buhari, on Wednesday evening, held a meeting with the Abubakar Bello, governor of Niger state, at Aso Rock.

The meeting held hours after 27 students were abducted from the Government Science College, Kagara, Niger state.

Three staff and 12 family members at the school were also kidnapped by the bandits.

While a security team has been deployed to the state, President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness over the situation, and promised to ensure the safe release of all the victims.

Addressing reporters after the meeting, the Niger governor said he spoke with the president on deploying additional security personnel to the state, and working towards ensuring an “everlasting” solution to insecurity.

He also said he supported the position of the senate, urging Buhari to declare a state of emergency on insecurity in the country.

“At the moment, if you look at what is happening, we are having security challenges in almost all parts of the country. So, yes, there’s a need to install some form of emergency on security matters across board. So yes, I think the senate acted in good faith. Something definitely needs to be done,” Bello said.

“To be honest, I’m very convinced by what Mr president told me, and I feel I’ve seen the presence of the military in Kagara. I was there earlier today, and I also request for some additional personnel and equipment, which I believe will be granted any moment from now.

“Right now, our immediate priority is to get the kidnapped victims released. After that, I think we must have a long-lasting solution to the farmers/herders conflicts.

“I came in this evening to thank Mr president for his quick response to the plight of Nigerlites, following two serious kidnap incidents. At the same time, we rubbed minds on what we think should be done so that we find an everlasting solution to the situation, and Mr president has confirmed to me that this matter will be given proper attention.

“We’ll continue engaging the service chiefs and the federal government, so that we can guide and advise them on what we think should be done. So, I think it was a wonderful meeting.”