We won’t surrender Nigeria to terrorists, says FG

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, has said the Federal Government will not surrender the country’s sovereignty to terror groups causing political instability in some parts of the country.

He stated this in Abuja Tuesdy evening at a peace walk against incessant invasion and kidnapping of students in the educational institutions.

The SGF, who was Special Guest of Honour at the event organised by the Peace Corps of Nigeria in collaboration with African Union (AU) and other stakeholders, spoke through the Director of Nigeria National Volunteer Services at the OSGF, Mrs Olusola Aina.

The forum was meant to create public awareness of the menace of banditry and terrorism in the country.

The SGF said the government would effectively deploy an approach with protective measures to tackle the menace of terrorism and banditry.

He urged all well-meaning Nigerians to collaborate with the Federal Government and its security agencies to prevail in the battle against the twin scourge of banditry and terrorism.

The SGF lamented that over 10.5 million schoolchildren had been forced out of schools in some parts of the country by criminal elements while several schools have also been shut as a precaution against the students being abducted by kidnappers, who habitually demand a ransom before releasing the students.

He said the North-East was the worst hit by insecurity, adding that the situation had been compounded because the region was noted for low school enrolment before the banditry.

He pleaded with Nigerians not to wait until they fall victims before rising to the challenge.

Mustapha said, “We must not allow bandits and terrorists to threaten our unity. Safe school initiative of the federal government will be strengthened to safeguard our children in their schools.”

In his remark, the National Commandant of the Corps Ambassador, Dickson Akoh, said 1,179 schoolchildren were abducted in the recent past by bandits from various schools.