President Bola Tinubu has ordered the nation’s security chiefs to account for every victim of the latest mass abduction in Niger State, directing the military, police, Department of State Services (DSS) and other security and intelligence agencies to launch an immediate and coordinated operation to rescue those abducted.
The President also vowed that those responsible for the abduction and killing of innocent citizens would be brought to justice, describing the perpetrators as “enemies of peace and enemies of humanity.”
Tinubu issued the directives while reacting to the mass abduction and killings in Niger State, expressing outrage over what he described as a “cowardly attack” on defenceless Nigerians.
“Those who carried out this cowardly attack on defenceless Nigerians are enemies of peace and enemies of humanity, who will not go scot-free,” the President said.
According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu directed the Armed Forces, Nigeria Police Force, DSS and relevant intelligence agencies to immediately coordinate their operations and intensify efforts to locate and rescue the victims.
He specifically directed the Service Chiefs to keep him regularly briefed on developments, insisting that the operation must continue until every abducted person is accounted for.
The President expressed condolences to families who lost loved ones in the attack and acknowledged the anguish of those still awaiting the return of their relatives.
“I extend my deepest condolences to the families of those who were killed in this barbaric assault and pray that Almighty God grant them eternal rest, and grant their loved ones the fortitude to bear this painful loss,” he said.
Tinubu also assured families of those abducted that the Federal Government would not abandon them, pledging that security agencies would sustain the rescue operation until their loved ones were brought home.
“You are not alone. The entire nation shares your anguish. We will not rest until your sons, daughters, mothers and fathers are brought back safely to you,” he said.
The President declared that the attack would not weaken the country’s resolve to confront terrorism and criminality or deter the government from protecting lives and communities.
“Terror will not cow Nigeria. We will defend our people, protect our communities, and uphold the sanctity of human life,” Tinubu said.
He also assured the Niger State Government of the Federal Government’s support, including measures to strengthen security and provide relief and recovery assistance to affected communities.
“My prayers are with the people of Niger State at this difficult time. The Federal Government stands firmly with the State Government and will provide all necessary support to aid recovery, relief, and security reinforcement,” the President said.
