close
Thursday, February 18, 2021

Kagara kidnap: Gov Bello meets Buhari, mulls state of emergency

“There’s a need to install some form of emergency on security matters across the board.”

• February 18, 2021
Governor Abubakar Bello and President Muhammadu Buhari
Governor Abubakar Bello and President Muhammadu Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has met with Governor Abubakar Bello of Niger, at the State House, Abuja to be briefed on the Kagara schoolboys’ kidnap.

The governor said there might be a need to declare a state of emergency on security in Nigeria.

The two met on Wednesday behind closed doors.

Gunmen abducted staff and students of Government Science Secondary School (GSSS), Kagara, Rafi council area of the state on Wednesday morning.

The president had earlier in a statement by media aide, Garba Shehu, condemned the abduction and dispatched a team of top security officials to coordinate the rescue operation in the state.

Governor Bello, who spoke to State House correspondents, said, “I came in this evening to thank Mr. President for his quick response to the plight of Nigerlites, following two serious kidnap incidents.

“At the same time, we rubbed minds on what we think should be done so that we find a lasting solution to the situation and Mr. President has confirmed to me that this matter will be given proper attention.

“We’ll continue engaging the service chiefs and the federal so that we can guide and advise them on what we think should be done. So I think it was a wonderful meeting,” he stated.

Touching on a state of emergency mulled by the Senate, Mr. Bello explained, “At the moment, if you look at what is happening, we are having security challenges in almost all parts of the country. So, yes there’s a need to install some form of emergency on security matters across the board.

“So yes, I think the Senate acted in good faith. Something definitely needs to be done.

“To be honest, I’m very convinced by what Mr. President told me and I feel I’ve seen the presence of the military in Kagara, I was there earlier today, and I also request some additional personnel and equipment, which I believe will be granted any moment from now.”

More from Peoples Gazette

Court Gavel used to illustrate the story

Lagos

Four suspects docked for stoning police officers

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge.

Rights

Nigerian nursing college suspends students for ‘inciting silent protest’ on campus

“As a faith-based institution whose interest is to train student nurses in moral and academic standing, we do not give room to truancy.”

Court Gavel used to illustrate the story

Rights

Court remands man for raping 9-year-old neighbour

Mr. Leo said the defendant, the victim’s neighbour, called her on the pretence of sending her on an errand.

Court symbol used to tell the story

Anti-Corruption

Court orders police to probe two companies in N140m fraud

The complainants, Olusola Babalola and Yusuf Adebayo, alleged that they loaned the companies and their owners N140 million to invest in a contract.

gavel

Agriculture

Police arraign businessman for fraud

“The defendant collected the money and gave the complainant a fake document for the land.”

NationWide

Police arraign man for snatching bags

While searching the defendant, the police discovered another handbag containing an ID, ATM card, and N12,000 cash.