By Rita Iliya

The Federal Government says that it will deploy all resources available to it to ensure the safe release of the abducted students of Government Science College, Kagara, Niger.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, gave the assurance on Wednesday in Minna, when a federal government delegation visited Gov. Abubakar Sani-Bello.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 27 students, three members of staff and 12 family members of the college were abducted on Wednesday night by gunmen.

Mohammed explained that they were sent by President Muhammadu Buhari to reassure the people and government of Niger that his administration would not leave any stone unturned in ensuring safety of lives and property.

He said that government would endorse whatever approach the state government had adopted to ensure the safe return of the abducted persons, adding that government would not surrender its sovereignty to criminals.

Also, the National Security Adviser, retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno, described the abduction of the students as unfortunate.

Monguno said that the federal government would apply everything at its disposal to rescue the students.

He said that government was determined to do everything possible to make the country safe.

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Adamu, said that government was concerned about the security situation in Niger and south western part of the country.

Adamu said that strategies were being put in place to tackle insecurity in parts of the country.

He called on members of the communities to provide useful information on bandits that had continued to unleash terror on innocent lives.

Earlier, Gov. Sani-Bello lauded the prompt response of the federal government, saying that the state government was already working towards the release of the abducted students.

“We are doing our best to ensure safe release of the students and I am optimistic that the children will be release soon,’’ he said.

Sani-Bello reiterated that the state government would not negotiate with bandits. (NAN)