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The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State Chapter, has expressed a lack of confidence in the Government of Niger State under Governor Umar Bago to rescue over 300 kidnapped pupils and staff members of St. Mary’s Private Catholic primary and secondary school.
The pupils and staff members were kidnapped in Papiri, Agwarra Local Government Area of the state on Friday, November 21.
Sources who were at a meeting held on Monday at St. Michael’s Catholic Cathedral, Kontagora, where Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser (NSA) to the President Bola Tinubu, addressed parents and CAN officials, told SaharaReporters that the association accused the state government of ignoring their concerns, dismissing their plight, and countering everything they said.
“CAN leadership expressed lack of confidence on the governor to rescue the pupils,” one of the sources who attended the meeting said.
“CAN also said he ignored them, dismissed their plight and counters everything they say.”
Ribadu on Monday visited the cathedral to meet the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, and parents of the abducted pupils.
He was accompanied by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Bernard Doro, the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Ajayi, and Rev. Joseph Hayab, CAN Northern Nigeria chairman.
During the meeting, Ribadu assured parents and school authorities that “the children are doing fine and will be back soon”, noting that federal efforts were ongoing and security had been intensified.
According to Daniel Atori, Media Aide to the Bishop, in a statement, Ribadu’s statement brought relief to many parents, though some remained cautious, awaiting the safe return of their children.
He told the gathering that “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 was quoted as saying.
“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.”
Ribadu therefore urged Nigerians to unite against the threat, saying, “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.”
Ribadu also commended Bishop Yohanna for his resilience, stating, “You are not alone, I can assure you, we are together in this.”
He reassured parents that “the children are where they are and will come back safely”.
“God is with them and God is with us. Evil will never win. They are going to come back; I give you assurance,” he said.
He further stated, “Many good people from all over the world are coming to support us, including the United States of America. We appreciate everyone, especially European countries like France, the United Kingdom and a couple of others,” adding that “the whole world is coming together to stop and defeat this evil which has been going on in Nigeria for two decades.”
Ribadu concluded by affirming that “we will provide security in that axis”.
“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,” he said.
Sources at the event highlighted the contrast between the federal government’s assurances of the children’s safe return and CAN leadership’s criticism of the state governor’s perceived inaction and dismissal of their concerns.
