Nuhu Ribadu Visits Kontagora Diocese, Vows Safe Return Of Abducted Schoolchildren
National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu on Tuesday visited the Kontagora Catholic Diocese to brief church leaders and families on the progress being made to rescue the abducted pupils and staff of St Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri. Inside the cathedral,
Ribadu told Bishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna that the missing children were safe, adding that “the children are doing fine and will be back soon”.
Ribadu explained that security agencies had intensified operations around the area and beyond, working with foreign partners who had already offered technical support. He noted that both European countries and the United States were now assisting Nigeria to track and dismantle the groups behind the abductions.
Delivering President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s message, he admitted that the moment was painful for both the government and the affected families. He said the president suspended all engagements, including a planned trip, immediately he received updates on the incident. According to Ribadu, “This is a very solemn and difficult moment for us. However, we take responsibility because it is our duty to protect you.”
He called for unity, urging Nigerians not to allow the attackers to cause religious or ethnic divisions. He insisted that the government was ready to confront the perpetrators, saying “Enough is enough, we will not relent in our efforts. Let us not allow bad people to divide us.”
Ribadu arrived with the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Bernard Doro; the DSS Director General, Oluwatosin Ajayi; and the Northern CAN Chairman, Rev Joseph Hayab. He assured the church leadership that the government stood firmly with them and appreciated Bishop Yohanna for remaining calm and cooperative despite frustrations from some quarters. He acknowledged the growing international support, saying countries such as France and the United Kingdom had joined efforts to curb the crisis.
According to him, the global community now recognises the need to end the violence that has persisted for nearly two decades. Ribadu expressed confidence that the children would return unharmed, noting that “the children are where they are and will come back safely. Evil will never win.”
Bishop Yohanna thanked President Tinubu and the NSA for personally coming to comfort the community. He handed over a detailed written report of the incident before both men stepped into a brief closed-door meeting.
The school principal, Rev Sister Felicia Gyang, and a representative of the parents, Luka Iliya, also narrated how the abduction unfolded and described the emotional strain the families had endured since the incident.
