The move for the rescue of the abducted pupils of St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, Niger State, has been upscaled by security agencies.

A clear evidence of this is yesterday’s visit to the proprietor of the school in Kotangora by National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu, Director-General of the Directorate of State Service (DSS) Tosin Ajayi; Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Bernard Doro, and Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Northern Nigeria, Rev. Joseph Hayab.

The high-powered team met with Catholic Bishop of Kontangora Diocese, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, and parents of the pupil.

The meeting took place at the St. Michael’s Catholic Cathedral in Kotangora.

They are going to come back, I give you the assurance,” Ribadu said, raising the hope that security operatives are close to concluding the rescue mission.”

He added: “The children are where they are and will come back safely. God is with them and God is with us. Evil will never win.

“This is a very solemn and difficult moment for us, especially after hearing from some of the parents and all of you. However, we take responsibility because it is our duty to protect you.

“This is a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, that we must come and visit you. Mr. President is in pain. He is in sorrow just like all of us. He stopped everything he was doing and he was supposed to travel, but he suspended his journey.

“Enough is enough. We will not relent in our efforts. We are all under attack. Let us not allow bad people to divide us. Let us not allow evil to get into us.”

The NSA further explained: “Many good people from all over the world are coming to support us, including the United States of America. We appreciate everyone, especially the European countries like France, the United Kingdom and a couple of others. The whole world is coming together to stop and defeat this evil, which has been going on in Nigeria for two decades.

“Mr. President said I should thank you, Bishop Yohanna, for your understanding and patience, for giving us the right information and for standing by for us. We are one.”

“You will see our reactions and responses now. One thing I know is that evil people will always be around, but this thing they have done is what will change Nigeria for good.”

The NSA urged the parents not to despair, saying that efforts are in top gear to get the children back while security has been beefed around the school.

He said to defeat the common enemy wreaking havoc on the country, Nigerians should be united.

No fewer than 250 pupils are still being held by the bandits, following the attack on the school two weeks ago which elicited widespread condemnation.

Bishop Yohanna thanked President Tinubu and the NSA for giving hope to the families of the abducted children and teachers.

The Principal of the school, Rev. Sister Felicia Gyang, and a representative of the parents, Mr. Luka Iliya, spoke on how the incident happened and their frustrations. (The Nation)