The military has promised to rescue the over 200 schoolchildren who were recently kidnapped by bandits in Kaduna State.
During a press briefing in Abuja on the Armed Forces’ activities over the last two weeks, Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, stated that the military is committed to retrieving all kidnapped victims safely.
During the Thursday event, the defence spokesman accused school owners for failing to promptly report cases of kidnapping to security services.
He also blamed the recent kidnapping of several internally displaced individuals in Gamboru-Ngala, Borno State, on their failure to follow instructions when they left the camp in search of firewood without telling camp administrators.
The kidnapping of 287 students in Kaduna State has prompted a flurry of responses from Nigerian officials.
Following the abduction, President Bola Tinubu directed security services to apprehend the kidnappers and rescue the students, saying that his administration would not pay a ransom.
Muhammad Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, made the statement on Wednesday during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja.
He told State House Correspondents that President Tinubu restated his directive to the defence to ensure the children’s rescue and safe return to their homes.
The minister stressed that kidnapping, particularly mass abduction, will not be condoned by the current government.