Niger State Governor Abubakar Bello on Monday met with parents of the abducted students of the Salihu Tanko Islamiya School and promised to ensure the rescue of the students.

Pupils numbering 136 were kidnapped earlier this month in the school located in Tegina, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State.

This is the latest in a string of school kidnappings in the country.

Governor Bello during his meeting with the parents and other stakeholders at the palace of the Emir of Kagara, Ahmed Gunna, commiserated with them and urged them to exercise patience as the government is exploring all avenues to see to their safe rescue.

“Even though we have ruled out payment of ransom, it is time for the government to take decisive measures towards ending the bandits’ activities that are forcefully changing the lives of the people, especially in the rural areas,” the governor said.

He lamented that the bandits have forced many to change their lifestyles.

“Farmers are displaced from their farmlands. Next, the bandits move to kidnappings and forcing us to close our schools, now they have started attacking Islamic schools, only God knows what is next,” the governor said.

According to Governor Bello, most of these bandits are from outside the country and they are hired to cause problems in Nigeria.

“It is not the habit of the true Fulani to indulge in this kind of act. These bandits are well organised and coordinated. We can not fold our arms anymore but to take decisive and necessary steps to apprehend those involved, both the informants and the bandits,” the governor added.

While commending the security personnel for their efforts in fighting the bandits in the last few weeks, Governor Sani Bello revealed that logistics have been provided and more combined security agencies have been deployed to ensure the release of the pupils.

The Emir of Kagara, Ahmad Gunna also at the meeting thanked the governor for all support especially in the security area to the emirate and the support given to the family of the kidnapped schoolchildren.

Headmaster of the Islamiyyah School, Abubakar Alhassan said that the action of the government to go full combat was a welcome development provided that their children will be brought back safely.

He told journalists that 15 of his teachers have escaped from the hands of their abductors in Zamfara State with four already in Kagara and 11 in a military facility in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State after which they will be reunited with their family members son.