The Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi has come out to address the recent kidnapping of Government Science College in Kagara, Niger state.
Mr Bashir said the government will adopt the same plan which was used to rescue the Kankara schoolboys months ago.
He said the service chiefs will get to work soon and will in no time to track down the kidnappers.
He said;
‘We have demonstrated our ability to take on the challenge. We have done it in Katsina; when children were kidnapped, within two days, we got them back. Hopefully, this time, we will do the same (thing) to get this these captives back. We are planning.
We have not got feedback on the activities going on in Niger State. But I am sure that before the end of the day, we will be given a full brief on what is going on in Niger State”
He also added that;
“Well, is it not the responsibility of the military alone? It is the responsibility of everybody to be alert and ensure safety when necessary. We shouldn’t be cowards. Sometimes the bandits come with about three rounds of ammunition and when they fire shots everybody will run. In our younger days, we stand to fight any form of aggression.
Why should people run away from minor, minor aggressions? We should stand and face them. If these people know that the people have the competence and capability to defend themselves, they will run away.”
Reacting to the saying that Nigerians should acquire guns and other arms to start protecting themselves, he said;
“It is an issue currently even in the developed country. They are still debating on whether to continue (to allow people bear arms) or stop. But I don’t advice Nigerians to bear fire arms for internal use.”