Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, has backtracked on his earlier claim that no students were abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area.
Speaking on Thursday at an eight-day retreat for newly nominated commissioners and elected local government chairmen, Bago acknowledged the incident and expressed deep concern over the abduction of over 250 schoolchildren and their teachers.
In his address, the governor, represented by his deputy, Comrade Yakubu Garba, described the incident as heartbreaking and unacceptable.
Bago said, “Before we go deep into the sessions ahead, I must speak from the heart on a matter that concerns us all, the unfortunate abduction of school children and teachers at St Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government.
“This is highly condemnable and has left our state deeply worried. As the chief security officer of the state and a parent myself, I feel the pain of every mother and father anxiously waiting for their children to return home.”
He assured citizens that the government is working to ensure the safe return of the victims and to strengthen security across the state.
Bago said the retreat was designed to prepare top officials for the demands of governance under his administration’s “New Niger” vision.
He said, “This Executive Retreat is not just another event on the government calendar. It is a moment of reflection, planning, and strategic alignment with renewed vigour for our shared commitment towards achieving the New Niger vision.
“Our mandate demands servant-leadership; characterised by competence, responsibility, honesty, teamwork, and above all, results-oriented leadership.”
In his own remarks, Secretary to the State Government, Abubakar Usman, said the retreat aims to strengthen collaboration and foster a unified purpose among government appointees.
He reminded the newly elected chairmen of their responsibility to drive development at the grassroots and urged all officials to act as the “engine room” for the administration’s success.
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