Managing Director of Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority (HJRBDA), Alhaji Rabiu Suleiman Bichi, on Tuesday commended President Bola Tinubu for his decisive and personal intervention in the successful rescue operations of the abducted students from Kebbi and Niger States.
All the 24 schoolgirls abducted from Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, in Danko-Wasagu local government area of Kebbi State, have been rescued.
Also, 100 of the total 227 students, including 12 teachers, abducted from St Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Niger state, have returned safely to their families.
Meanwhile, the rescue operation has been intensified, with renewed efforts to secure the release of the remaining 115 pupils and their teachers, as well as the safe return of all victims.
In a statement issued from his office in Kano, Alhaji Bichi expressed profound appreciation for the president’s demonstration of “exceptional leadership and deep-seated concern” for the security and welfare of Nigerian citizens.
“We must acknowledge and sincerely appreciate President Bola Tinubu for his great concern and bold moves taken in rescuing our precious children.
“History shows that while past administrations often limited their response to strong condemnations, President Tinubu went a decisive step further by personally aborting an important international trip to Johannesburg to commandeer the rescue mission.
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“This hands-on approach underscores a new proactive standard in leadership at the highest level,” Alhaji Bichi stated.
The HJRBDA boss observed what he described as a concerning trend in public discourse, where tragedies are met with swift condemnation of the government and blame placed on the president, often with accusations of inaction.
“It has become a pattern that when such heartbreaking tragedies strike, the focus is predominantly to blame the government and the president for allowing it to happen or for perceived delays in response.
“However, there is a palpable reluctance to extend credit to where it is due when the same president and our security forces, especially the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, demonstrated courage, dedication, and ultimately averted greater catastrophe, rescuing the victims,” he noted.
Alhaji Bichi emphasised that while holding leadership accountable is a vital aspect of democracy, fairness demands that exemplary acts of courage and successful operations should also attract national acknowledgment and support. This, he argued, strengthens national morale, motivates security agencies, and, in this regard, will encourage the leaders to ensure the successful rescue of all the kidnapped victims.
According to Bichi, the successful rescue of the affected students is a victory for the nation, made possible by the president’s direct involvement and the tireless efforts of our security personnel.
He noted, “Let us be a people who are balanced in our engagement—constructive in criticism, but also generous in praise where praise is earned. This is essential for building a united front against the challenges we face.”
Bichi reiterated the commitment of the Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority under his leadership in supporting the Renewed Hope Agenda of the federal government, particularly in fostering sustainable development and security in communities.
