By SALISU SANI-IDRIS

Vice-President Kashim Shettima says President Bola Tinubu is deeply troubled by the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi, killing of late Brig.-Gen. Musa Uba and the late Vice Principal of the school.

Shettima spoke on Wednesday when he visited Birnin Kebbi, the Kebbi capital, on the directive of Tinubu.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Tinubu had on Tuesday evening asked the Shettima to visit the state to sympathise with the state government.

Tinubu also directed Shettima to assure the parents and guardians of the kidnapped schoolgirls that the government would ensure their quick release.

The vice-president described the abduction of the schoolgirls from the boarding school in Maga as an assault on the collective conscience of all Nigerians.

He vowed that the government would deploy all the instruments of the state to rescue the schoolchildren, ensure their abductors, and killers of the gallant military General as well as the vice principal are made to face the full weight of justice.

The vice-president extended Tinubu?s sympathy to families of the abducted schoolgirls and the state government.

He said, ?Kebbi?s pain is Nigeria?s pain. When one child is taken, every home in this nation grieves.

?When girls in the safety of their classroom are seized by criminals, our collective conscience is assaulted.

?Mr. President is deeply troubled by this tragedy. He shares your anguish, and he has sent me to assure you that this is not a moment for politics.

?This grief transcends party lines, geography, and identity. This is a time for unity, for compassion, and for firm resolve in the face of evil. Our priority is singular and unflinching: our daughters must return home safely.?

Shettima also assured them that their tears, fears, and cries were a stain on Nigeria?s collective conscience, and that the nation ?shall not turn away from this responsibility.

?This government will not relent. We will use every instrument of the state to bring these girls home and to ensure that the perpetrators of this wickedness face the full weight of justice.

?Kebbi, you are not alone. Nigeria stands with you. And we shall not rest until your daughters return to your warm embrace,? he vowed.

He promised that the Federal Government would support the families of the late Gen. Uba, the late Vice Principal and others who were killed by the terror groups, while doing everything possible to rescue the abducted schoolgirls.

?We also honour the ultimate sacrifice made by some of our brave officers. To the family of the late Brigadier-General Musa Uba, we say: his sacrifice will never be forgotten.

?When a soldier gives his life in defence of this nation, a part of our collective soul is touched. We will honour him, his family, and all who pay the supreme price in service to Nigeria,? he stated.

Shettima applauded Gov. Nasir Idris of Kebbi, community leaders, traditional rulers, local vigilante groups, civil society partners, and all stakeholders for rallying together in the moment of distress.

?Your cooperation, your vigilance, and your unity are indispensable to the search for our girls and to the safety of our communities,? he said.

He also commended the gallant officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, other security and intelligence agencies for their gallantry in the face of security challenges confronting the nation.

?Your courage, your tirelessness, and your sacrifices?often unseen and unsung?remain the backbone of our nation?s security. You stand on the frontlines so that the rest of us may sleep with hope.

?The nation appreciates you,? Shettima told them.

Responding, the Governor thanked Tinubu for the show of support, concern and immense leadership.

He said that since the incidents happened, the president had been in touch with the state government.

He restated that with the commitment and efforts of the government, adding that he was optimistic that the kidnapped schoolgirls would soon be rescued.

He particularly thanked Shettima for the show of concern, and reaffirmed the state?s commitment and loyalty to the Tinubu?s administration.

The governor vowed to continue partnership and cooperation with the Federal Government in ensuring the release of the girls.

?We, in Kebbi, are most touched by the show of concern and deepened actions being taking to rescue our girls.

?I am optimistic that they will be rescued. It is a painful experience but we also will ensure that we put all in place to avert any of such future occurrence.

?We thank Mr President here, ably represented by our very own Vice-President Shettima.

?We thank you for the concern, and the communications and actions behind the scene thus far. We deeply appreciate, sir,? the governor stated.

Also present at the event were the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda; Deputy Governor of Kebbi, Sen. Umar Tafida and the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, among others. (NAN)

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