The Federal Government, on Tuesday, appealed to bandits and their sponsors to desist from kidnapping students in schools, saying their action is a huge setback to the advancement of education in the country.
Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba, made the appeal while reacting to reports that three more abducted students of the Bethel Baptist Secondary school in Kaduna State have been found.
The three students, (all male), were found by troops at the Kankumi forest general area in Chikun local government where they were abandoned by their abductors.
Speaking while featuring as a guest on a television programme yesterday, the Minister, who said he is elated by the news, also appealed to the parents of the abducted students that the federal government is doing all it can to ensure those in captivity are all rescued.
He said I am elated. They should please return our children to us. I am so happy for these parents. I was in Katsina to meet with these ex-servicemen who are flying that area. I also want to encourage our military. They are doing tremendous work in combing the areas and tackling these bandits.
I am appealing to the bandits and whoever talks to them to leave our schools alone. We already have many issues from Kagara to Jingali to Jangebe and all the other places they have gone to just to disrupt schooling activities for our children.
The Federal Government is doing as much as we can possibly do. I know it is disheartening how you feel and I am appealing, as one of the ministers you have put in a government, that we take responsibility and we are doing the most we can on this matter, he stated.
