The Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), on Thursday, assured the Kebbi Government and parents of the abducted students of Comprehensive Girls Secondary School, Maga, of support for the rescue effort.

 

 

The Chairman of the PGF, Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, gave the assurance in Birnin Kebbi when he led a delegation of governors to condole with the government and people of Kebbi over the recent attack in Zuru Emirate.

 

 

Uzodimma said the forum’s visit was to commiserate with the state and families of the victims, describing the incident as tragic and unacceptable.

 

“We are here to condole with you over the tragic incident that occurred in Zuru Emirate when the school was attacked.

 

 

“It is painful, and we deemed it necessary to identify with you at this difficult time.

 

“In the past, we only heard of school attacks outside Nigeria and Africa. Unfortunately, we never imagined such a dastardly act would occur here, particularly in Kebbi,” he said.

 

The PGF chairman condemned the attack and reaffirmed the governors’ solidarity with President Bola Tinubu in efforts to strengthen national security.

 

“We are your brothers in unity, standing firmly behind President Bola Tinubu to ensure that national security is strengthened and that this ugly trend of insecurity is curbed.

 

“As governors in the PGF, we are united and committed to doing whatever it takes to secure Nigeria and sustain our democracy,” he added.

 

Uzodimma also noted the administration’s strides in stabilising the economy, saying revenues accruing to the federation had increased in the last two and a half years.

 

 

 

 

“All we need is to sustain the trajectory so that the dividends of governance will trickle down to ordinary Nigerians, ensuring shared prosperity.

 

“We urge security agencies to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.

 

“Rest assured, you are not alone in this battle. When one part of the country bleeds, the whole country bleeds. An injury to one is an injury to all,” he said.

 

Responding, Gov. Nasir Idris of Kebbi thanked the governors for the solidarity visit, saying President Tinubu had assured the people of Kebbi and parents of the abducted students that the Federal Government would do everything possible to rescue them.

 

“We have already directed clerics to pray for the safe return of the students and for peace and security in the state and the country,” Idris said.

 

The governors’ delegation included Alhaji Umar Namadi of Jigawa; Ahmed Usman-Ododo of Kogi; Dr Hyacinth Alia of Benue; Mr Emmanuel Akabe, Deputy Governor of Nasarawa; and Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State.

 

Others were the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Atiku Bagudu; Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs, Alhaji Tanko Sununu; Sen. Bala Ibn-Na’Allah; Alhaji Bello Ka’oje, member representing Bagudo/Suru Federal Constituency; and Alhaji Kabiru Tukura, member representing Zuru/Fakai/Danko-Wasagu Federal Constituency, among others.