By Peter Uwumarogie

The Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) has strongly condemned the attack on Government Girls’ Comprehensive Senior Secondary School (GGCSS), Maga, in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the bandits’ attack led to the abduction of 25 female students as well as the reported killing of an official.

Reacting to the unfortunate incident on Monday in Gombe, the Chairman of the forum and Governor of Gombe State, Inuwa Yahaya, described the abduction as tragic, senseless and utterly unacceptable.

In a press statement issued by his media aide on Monday, Yahaya said that the continued targeting of schools posed a grave threat to the region’s stability and the nation’s educational future.

Yahaya, on behalf of his colleagues in the NSGF, commiserated with the government and people of Kebbi, especially the families of the abducted students and those who lost their lives in the attack.

He assured Gov. Nasir Idris of the forum’s solidarity and support during this difficult moment.

He said that schools must be sanctuaries of learning, not targets of violence, warning that continued assaults on educational institutions threatened to reverse gains made in improving school enrolment and curbing the out-of-school crisis in the region.

Yahaya expressed deep concern over the trauma the abducted schoolgirls may be facing and called for an immediate and well-coordinated operation by security agencies to ensure their safe rescue and the arrest of the perpetrators.

Reaffirming the commitment of the NSGF to collaborate with the Federal Government and security institutions, Yahaya stated that the safety, education and welfare of young Nigerians remain a top priority for the forum.

He urged communities to remain vigilant and cooperate with the security agencies in the collective efforts to rid the region of criminality. (NAN)