Abdulmumin Jibrin, former member of the House of Representatives, says President Bola Tinubu is personally monitoring efforts to rescue the schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oyo and Borno states.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday, Jibrin said the abduction has cast a gloomy mood over government circles, with top officials focused on securing the release of the victims.
His comments come amid widespread outrage over the kidnapping of dozens of pupils and teachers by terrorists in Oyo and Borno states, which has triggered protests across the country.
Jibrin said the plight of the victims and their families remains the government’s immediate priority, saying that the president cannot rest until they are safely returned.
The former lawmaker said the government is pursuing both long-term and immediate measures to tackle insecurity and secure the release of those in captivity.
“What I can assure you is that the president and the government are doing everything possible,” he said.
“One, a track record of doing everything possible to see that the security situation is tackled, and in the immediate, doing everything possible to see that those kidnapped actually return back to their families.”
MOODY PRESIDENCY
Jibrin said discussions within the presidency have been dominated by the abductions, with security agencies working round the clock on rescue efforts.
“Just coming back from the Villa, you see everybody has gone moody, everybody is on his toes, everybody is working,” he said.
“The matter is all about those who have been kidnapped, concern for their families.
“The last person who can be able to sleep, that I know very well, is the President, until these kids are brought home.”
He added that the president is personally invested in the rescue operation.
“Let me tell you something, the last person that can be able to sleep, that I know very well, is the president until these kids are brought home,” he said.
TINUBU IS NOT SLEEPING
Jibrin defended Tinubu’s handling of security, arguing that the president has fulfilled key responsibilities expected of him.
He said the president has appointed security chiefs, funded military operations, procured equipment, and promoted inter-agency collaboration.
“The president has done his best,” he said.
“He has put very good people in the right places, funded the military and expanded the security architecture.”
According to him, while security challenges persist, the government has improved its response mechanisms to incidents across the country.
“The difference with the past is that there is now a swift response mechanism,” he said.
“Immediately it happens, people are on the ground. Situation rooms have been opened. They are tracking them, chasing them and pursuing them.”
Jibrin urged relatives of the abducted victims not to lose hope, insisting that the president is closely following developments.
“The most important thing I want to tell the relatives and parents of those victims is that I am telling you this first-hand,” he said.
“The president is standing on his feet, monitoring everything that is happening second by second.”
