The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has praised President Bola Tinubu and security agencies for securing the release of the remaining pupils abducted from a boarding school in Niger State, describing the development as a major relief to parents and the nation.
Festus Osifo, President of the TUC and also head of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), commended the security agencies on Sunday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today. He welcomed the confirmation that the last batch of students in captivity had regained their freedom.
“First, I thank our security personnel for this breaking news. For us, we are elated because, as parents, when your children go to school and do not return home, I wonder if any father or mother was able to sleep in the past month,” Osifo said.
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He singled out the coordinated efforts of the security operatives for their role in restoring hope and easing the anguish of affected families.
“We thank the security outfits led by the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Ministry of Defence for coming to the rescue of those children,” he added.
While lauding the release, Osifo urged the Federal Government to adopt robust measures to prevent future school abductions, warning that repeated attacks were discouraging school attendance and instilling fear nationwide.
“We must put in place the right architecture to ensure that what happened in Chibok, Dapchi, Kebbi, and now Niger does not happen again,” he said.
The last group of pupils and teachers abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, in Rafi Local Government Area, regained their freedom on Sunday, concluding the aftermath of the November 21 attack.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, confirmed the development, noting that 130 pupils had been released.
“Another 130 abducted Niger State pupils released. None left in captivity,” Dare wrote on X.
The abduction, which occurred around 2 a.m., sparked nationwide outrage and renewed concerns over school safety, prompting President Tinubu to order an extensive security operation across Niger and neighbouring states.
