The National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has revealed that major international partners are working closely with Nigeria as the country intensifies efforts to rescue pupils abducted from St. Mary’s Private Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State. He confirmed that the United States, France and the United Kingdom are already providing technical support to ongoing security operations.
Ribadu gave the update in Kontagora during a visit to the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in the Northern Region, Bishop Bulus Yohanna, where he met parents still reeling from the shock of the abduction. He said President Bola Tinubu had expressed deep concern and ordered security agencies to commit every resource necessary to secure the children’s safe return.
Addressing Christian leaders and families gathered at St. Michael’s Catholic Cathedral, Ribadu assured them that the government was fully engaged and would not relent. He stated that rescue operations had been strengthened with the support of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Bernard Doro, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Oluwatosin Ajayi, and CAN Northern Region Chairman, Joseph Hayab.
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He conveyed the President’s message of solidarity and confirmed that Tinubu had suspended official duties, including a scheduled trip, so he could focus on the developing situation. Ribadu added that the Federal Government was taking full responsibility for security restoration in the affected communities and praised Bishop Yohanna for his steady leadership during a period of heightened fear.
Ribadu stressed that Nigeria was not isolated in its struggle against terrorism and noted that international partners had pledged strong backing. He said the government’s commitment would not waver until the pupils were reunited with their families.
Bishop Yohanna thanked the delegation for the visit, saying it had lifted the spirits of families who had been traumatised by the incident. He explained that the gesture affirmed the government’s resolve to protect citizens. Sources close to the NSA said a closed-door session followed the public interaction, during which church leaders presented their report on the attack. School representatives and parents also shared their accounts of the abduction and its impact on the community.
