Shettima To Families Of Kidnapped Kebbi School Children, We Will Rescue Your Girls 

The Vice President, Kashim Shettima has assured that the federal government will deploy every instrument of State to secure the release of the abducted schoolgirls in Kebbi State and ensure that those responsible face the full weight of the law.

Shettima gave the assurance on Wednesday in Birnin Kebbi while conveying President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s sympathy to families of the kidnapped schoolgirls and relatives of the late Brigadier-General Musa Uba and the slain vice principal of the Government Girls’ Secondary School, Maga.

“This government will not relent. We will use every instrument of the state to bring these girls home and to ensure that the perpetrators of this wickedness face the full weight of justice.

“Kebbi, you are not alone. Nigeria stands with you. And we shall not rest until your daughters return to your warm embrace,” Shettima declared.

In a statement by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima said the President is “deeply troubled” by the abduction and killings, describing the attack as an assault on the nation’s collective conscience.

“Kebbi’s pain is Nigeria’s pain. When one child is taken, every home in this nation grieves. When girls in the safety of their classroom are seized by criminals, our collective conscience is assaulted,” he said.

He added that President Tinubu sent him to assure the affected families that the government is united, resolute, and singular in its priority: ensuring the safe return of the abducted girls.

“This is not a moment for politics. This grief transcends party lines, geography, and identity. Our daughters must return home safely,” he said.

The Vice President paid tributes to Brigadier-General Musa Uba, describing his death as a sacrifice that “touches a part of our collective soul.”

“We also honour the ultimate sacrifice made by some of our brave officers. To the family of the late Brigadier-General Musa Uba, we say: his sacrifice will never be forgotten.

“When a soldier gives his life in defence of this nation, a part of our collective soul is touched. We will honour him, his family, and all who pay the supreme price in service to Nigeria,” he stated.

He also pledged Federal Government support for families of all victims, including the slain vice principal and others killed by the attackers.

Shettima applauded Kebbi Governor Muhammed Nasir Idris, community leaders, traditional rulers, local vigilante groups, civil society partners, and all stakeholders for rallying together in the moment of distress.

“Your cooperation, your vigilance, and your unity are indispensable to the search for our girls and to the safety of our communities,” he said.

He also commended the gallant officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and all paramilitary and intelligence agencies for their gallantry in the face of security challenges confronting the nation.

“Your courage, your tirelessness, and your sacrifices—often unseen and unsung—remain the backbone of our nation’s security. You stand on the frontlines so that the rest of us may sleep with hope. The nation appreciates you,” he told them.

Also present at the event were the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nantawe Yitwada; Deputy Kebbi Governor, Senator Umar Abubakar Tafida; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen Abubakar Atiku Bagudu; Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Iman Suleiman Ibrahim; Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr Bernard Fori, and Minister of State, Humanitarian Affairs, Dr Tanko Sununu Yusuf.

Others are members of the National Assembly; members of the State House of Assembly; former Governor of Kebbi State, Usman Saidu Nasamu Dakingari; Senator Bala Ibn Na Allah; Director General of NEMA.

Hajiya Zubaida Umar; Secretary to Kebbi State Government, Yakubu Bala; other members of the state Executive Council; senior government officials, as well as heads of military and para-military.