The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has alleged that the abduction of over 280 schoolchildren in Kaduna State by bandits looked planned in advance, adding that the incident was a discomfiting reality, given the enormous public resources being allocated to the security sector.

Prof Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the National Publicity Secretary of the ACF, called on the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) to go beyond perfunctory directives to the security forces to rescue the abducted students.

Prof Baba, in a statement, explained that “ACF is gravely saddened and exasperated at the news of the mass abduction by terrorists/bandits of about 312 students (20 of whom reportedly orphans) from the Local Education Authority (LEA) Primary School and Junior Secondary School, along with a principal at Kuriga, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, on Thursday, March 7^th, 2024.

As a sad reminder about their unabated presence, the terrorists struck again, attacked worshippers, and killed two persons during Friday prayers at Anguwar Makera, Kwasakwasa Community in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area, Kaduna State.”

“Together, the incidents looked planned in advance, a most discomfiting reality, given the enormous public resources being allocated to the security sector.”

“As ACF had observed in July 2023, when students of the Federal University Gusau were abducted (and sadly still in captivity), these disturbing incidents point to the very parlous state of security in the country, and specifically that around schoolchildren, a defensively vulnerable population.

ACF unequivocally decries and condemns the incidents in strong terms and hereby calls for the immediate and unconditional return of the abducted students and pupils, unharmed, to their parents and guardians. ACF calls on all not to be discouraged and not to give the terrorists/bandits any chance to discourage and frighten us with their evil and cowardly tools of terror.”

“ACF also extends sympathies to the Kwasakwasa community over the heinous attack on its people; recommends the fast response of the Kaduna State Government through a confidence-building visit to the community by its officials, led by the State’s Executive Governor, Senator Uba Sani; and calls on the security forces to adopt more effective strategies to end the scourge of terrorism in our communities.

Clearly, a multi-pronged regional strategy against the terrorists operating in all contagious states is called for. In these regards, the security forces should never dither or stay on the course of plain ineptitude and ineffectiveness that characterise the current strategy to contain and stamp out terrorism throughout the country.”

“ACF demands the immediate deployment of new measures, including the much-discussed Special Schools Security Scheme, the Schools Vigilante Force, Anti-Kidnapping Squads, etc., across the terror-prone states; it calls on the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) to go beyond perfunctory directives to the security forces to rescue the abducted students. The FGN must go beyond bland and sterile directives to insist on results within specific time frames.”

“ACF believes that the time has long passed when this terrorism is fully eradicated nation-wide. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.” (Saturday Vanguard)