The Inspector General of Police, IGP, Kayode Egbetokun has described attacks on schools as an act of terrorism aimed at denying Nigerian children access to education.


This is just as Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago confirmed the escape of more abducted children of St Mary’s Catholic School.

The IGP stated this during a courtesy visit on Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago in Minna on Tuesday, noting that Nigeria is facing a severe security crisis, with various terrorist groups and bandits unleashing violence across the country.

He described as unacceptable the recent attack and abduction of school children at the St Mary’s Catholic Church Agwara in Niger State, and similar incidents in Kwara and Kebbi states.

Benue Assembly extends former Speaker Dajoh’s suspension
“While we are encouraged that 50 of the children of St Mary’s Catholic School escaped and reunited with their families, we are still carrying the burden of ensuring the remaining children are rescued. This is because, if any community is attacked, the whole communities in Nigeria are attacked,” he noted.

Egbetokun called for collective efforts by governments, security agencies including vigilante, and community leaders, to address security challenges facing Niger State and Nigeria at large.

He said, “This is not the best of times. Niger State is facing deep troubling security moment with recent displacement of communities, pressure at its border areas and other criminalities. This demands for collective efforts and action to tackle them because Niger State is important in Nigeria, especially with recent abduction of school children.”

While thanking the Niger State governor for supporting the Police in discharging it’s duties, he stated that additional critical tactical assets and intelligence have been drafted to the state to ensure the safe release of the abducted children.


Responding, Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago appreciated the IGP for the visit and the swift response while assuring him of continued collaboration in providing security for citizens of the state.

He, however, stated that the state cannot ascertain the exact number of children abducted from St Mary’s Catholic School and hence decided to open a register for parents to step forward and write down names of their children.

“We don’t know the exact number of children abducted. This is because, the Catholic Church is going back and forth on the number. However, what matters is we are making efforts to rescue them. We have opened a register for the parents to register names of their children and we will ensure, we recover all missing children.


“We have also confirmed the freedom of more abducted children of St Mary’s Catholic School and we will disclose the number later in the day,” Bago stated.

He also called for prayers for the country’s democracy saying, “Nigeria is under security threat and we must all rise up and defend its honour and glory.”