Terrorists Are Planning To Use Kidnapped School Children As ‘Human Shields’ – Jerry Gana
Hi Dear, thanks for visiting! Like our FB Page or Follow Us Twitter for Regular News Updates!
Gana, who earlier hailed Adeniyi’s WCO appointment, said the pattern of recent school abductions suggests the criminals believe a foreign offensive may soon target them.
Former Information Minister, Prof. Jerry Gana, on Saturday warned that armed groups responsible for the recent wave of school kidnappings in Northern Nigeria may be abducting children to use as human shields, following threats reportedly issued by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Gana made the assertion at a reception in Abuja celebrating the elevation of the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, as chairman of the World Customs Organisation (WCO), and during a fundraising dinner for the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations’ national secretariat.
Gana, who earlier hailed Adeniyi’s WCO appointment, said the pattern of recent school abductions suggests the criminals believe a foreign offensive may soon target them.
He said, “Somebody phoned me just before I came here to say that it would appear that the bandits are taking the threat from the president of the United States seriously. Therefore, it would appear that they are now mobilising human shields to protect themselves.”
He warned that the abductions should alarm “elders, statesmen and fathers of the nation,” adding that the geography of the attacks suggests the kidnappers are repositioning themselves deep inside forest enclaves.
According to him, “They fear that they are going to be targeted from the air and therefore felt the need to grab a few people to be human shields.”
Gana urged the Federal Government to strengthen cooperation with international partners, saying technological advancements mean that armed groups can be targeted remotely.
He said, “I think the Nigerian government will need all the wisdom to liaise with whoever can help us. Technology has gone to a point where you can be targeted from the air. And I think these people need to be targeted now from the air.”
Also speaking at the event, Minister of Information, Idris Mohammed, disclosed that foreign news organisations have intensified pressure on him for updates on the abductions in Kebbi and Niger states.
He said, “As I was sitting down there, I got about two text messages from some international press organisations asking me to confirm the number of people who have actually been kidnapped in Agwara.”
Mohammed assured that the Federal Government was working urgently to rescue abducted children, adding that President Bola Tinubu had given clear instructions on resolving the crisis.
“My response to them is that while we are counting those who are kidnapped, I’m telling them that by God’s grace, we are already working for them to get released… and they will be released very soon,” Idris said.
However, the minister cautioned Nigerians against amplifying insecurity narratives internationally, stressing that the challenges require unity and responsible reporting.
He said, “Let us come together to fight it, and I assure you that President Bola Tinubu is determined more than ever before to bring an end to this issue.”
Idris dismissed claims that insecurity was targeting only one region, describing such narratives as “false.”
In his address, Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite, commended Customs CG Adeniyi’s rise to the WCO Council chairmanship, saying it signalled Nigeria’s growing influence in global trade governance.
NIPR President, Ike Neliaku, also lauded Adeniyi, describing him as a hard-working public servant who “believes in performance.”
The warnings from Gana and the disclosures from the minister come amid escalating concern in Washington over attacks in Northern Nigeria.
This week, US Congressman Riley Moore alleged that violence targeting Christians was “escalating out of control,” adding, “I believe it is now a genocide.”
Moore warned that the killings could provoke a response from the United States, saying President Trump had made it clear he would act if Abuja failed to halt the bloodshed.
He met with National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and a Nigerian delegation on Wednesday to discuss counterterrorism strategies and protection of vulnerable communities.
The meeting followed a series of school kidnappings, including Monday’s attack on Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State, where at least 24 students were abducted.
Similar incidents were recorded in Niger State.
Post a Comment
Let know your opinion on this story