Sirika on school abductions: Some people are trying to embarrass government

Hadi Sirika, minister of aviation, says there is a possible plan by criminals to attempt another abduction in a bid to embarrass the federal government.

The minister spoke on Monday after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.

He had earlier conveyed Buhari’s promise that the abduction of 317 students of Government Girls Secondary School, Jangebe, Zamfara state, will be the last in the country.

Sirika said plans are in place to ensure that Buhari’s assurance of security and safe schooling does not fail.

He said the federal government has put all necessary measures in place to ensure the security of all Nigerians, especially schoolchildren.

“Yes, there may be a possibility that some people will try to do it to embarrass government, but government has the resources to continue to give the best in terms of security in this country,” he said.

“We think, and we hope, but especially by the grace of God, that this will be the last that we’ll see in this country.

“Everything that is humanly possible by any government to put in place, to ensure security of lives and property, is being put together to ensure that this doesn’t happen. Like I said, it’s an ongoing thing and government is committed to it and will continue to do so.”

Asked what gives him the impression that the Buhari-led government can make Nigeria safe for all, Sirika said the security situation in the previous administration was worse.

“I think we forget so quickly. There has been a time in this country when governance even became terribly impossible. A section of this country is hoisting another flag,” he said.

“They bombed the Central Mosque of Kano, a thousand people died. Those are things of the past.

“But the important thing is… is government doing something? Yes, it is? Is government committed? Truly, it is committed.

“Don’t forget, the present president could be a civilian president, but he’s a true commander-in-chief and he had been there before and he’s doing his best. I am sure if you’ll do justice to this government, you’ll say it has done much better than it was before.”