TheCable

The senate committee on army has described the abduction of over 20 female students from the Federal University of Gusau (FUG) in Zamfara state as “unfortunate”.

On Friday, bandits attacked the university and made away with an unspecified number of students.

In a statement on Monday, Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, chair of the senate committee on army, said efforts by the authorities must be intensified to ensure that all the students are released.

Yar’Adua said the incident is an indication that the country’s security challenge has reached to an “alarming level”.

“The recent kidnapping of more than 24 innocent school students of Federal University of Gusau, Nigeria, particularly the young girls, is not just another unfortunate incident but a clear indication that the insecurity plaguing our country has reached alarming levels,” he said.

“This is a moment that demands swift and decisive action. We cannot underestimate the trauma and anguish that these young girls and their families are experiencing right now.

“We can no longer stand idle and allow our nation’s future to be continually threatened.

“I call upon all stakeholders in government, from the executive to the legislature, and the judiciary, to immediately divert our attention to this heinous attack and ensure the safe rescue of our young daughters.

“Furthermore, let us use this unfortunate incident as a wake-up call. The Nigerian government must intensify its efforts in curbing the escalating insecurity that has permeated our land.”

The committee chair said Nigeria cannot afford to allow bandits disrupt education and instill fear in the citizenry.

“We must bolster our security forces, equip them with the necessary tools, provide adequate training, and enhance intelligence gathering mechanisms to counter these threats effectively,” he said.

Yar’Adua said the army and other security agencies must have the required capabilities to rescue the kidnapped students “without delay”.