President Bola Tinubu’s administration on Monday stirred intense public outrage after declaring that the abducted pupils of St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, Niger State, are “doing fine” in the hands of terrorists—and will soon be released to their families.
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, made the remarks during a visit to Bulus Yohanna, the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese and proprietor of the school.
In a statement issued by the diocese, Mr. Ribadu assured church leaders and anxious families that “the children are doing fine and will be back soon.”
“This is a very solemn and difficult moment for us, especially after hearing from some of the parents and all of you,” Mr. Ribadu said. “However, we take responsibility because it is our duty to protect you.”
He added that his visit was a direct instruction from President Tinubu, who, he said, was deeply distressed by the abductions.
“This is a directive from Mr President that we must come and visit you. Mr President is in pain; he is in sorrow just like all of us. He stopped everything he was doing; he was supposed to travel but he suspended his journey,” the NSA said.
The shocking attack on St. Mary’s Catholic School occurred on November 21, when heavily armed bandits stormed the school premises and abducted more than 300 students in one of the largest mass kidnappings recorded in Niger State in recent years.
Just last week, the presidency revealed that the federal government secured the release of 38 Christians abducted during an attack on Christ Apostolic Church, Eruku, in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, after making direct contact with the bandits responsible.
The fresh assurances from the NSA—particularly the claim that the abducted schoolchildren are “fine” in captivity—have triggered nationwide criticism, with many Nigerians questioning the government’s tone and its strategy for handling mass abductions.
