Nigerian government vows to smoke out culprits in latest mass kidnappings

The Nigerian government has, on Saturday, condemned Monday’s abduction of Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, at Wurge Community in Borno and Thursday’s kidnap of over 200 school children at Kuriga community in Kaduna State.

The President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government pledged to rescue the victims and bring the criminals behind the crime to face the full weight of the law.

Nigeria’s insecurity challenge raised its ugly head again as armed terrorists abducted not less than 40 girls and women on Monday when they attacked three IDP camps in Ngala in Gamboru Ngala Local Government Area of Borno.

On Thursday, the Kuriga community located on Kaduna Birnin-Gwari Road in Kaduna State came under attack by an unidentified armed group leading to the abduction of over 200 school children.

While speaking on the mass abductions, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, fumed against the incidents, stressing that any threat to their security is a direct attack on the future of Nigeria.

“Government stands resolutely against any form of violence or coercion targeted at innocent civilians, especially the most vulnerable among us.

“Our children deserve to seek education in conditions devoid of harm or threat of harm, and any threat to their security is a direct attack on the future of our country.

“While extending heartfelt sympathies to families and communities affected by these distressing events, President Bola Tinubu has directed security agencies to swiftly ensure the safe return of all abducted persons and the arrest of perpetrators.

“Government will spare no effort in the pursuit of justice for the victims and in its determination to hold perpetrators of such heinous acts accountable to the full extent of the law,’’ Idris stressed.

The minister asked people to be calm but watchful and to share pertinent information that could help security services apprehend the attackers and release the victims.

“Government reaffirms its unwavering commitment to protecting the lives and property of citizens.

“It will continue to work very hard to ensure that the capacity of criminals to launch attacks is constantly and irreversibly degraded,’’ the minister added.