Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi has said the government will adopt the same tactics it used to rescue the Kankara schoolboys to rescue the 27 students abducted from the Government Science College in Kagara, Niger state today February 17.
The Minister disclosed this on the sideline of the screening of Service Chiefs by the House of Representatives today February 17.
He said the service chiefs will swing into action immediately they are through with the screening exercise by the lawmakers and track down the kidnappers with a view to rescuing the children.
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”Magashi said
While insisting that Nigerians have a responsibility to ensure there is adequate security, the Minister said
“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 calls for Nigerians to carry arms, Magashi 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.”
