First Lady meets wives of service chiefs, decried abduction of Kebbi schoolgirls

The First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has expressed deep sorrow over the abduction of 25 students of the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi State, and the tragic killing of the Vice-Principal.

This was as she met on Tuesday with the wives of the newly appointed Service Chiefs at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

In a statement she personally signed earlier before her engagements with wives of the Service Chiefs, Tinubu described the abduction of the school children as “heartbreaking”, adding that the “incident is not only an attack on innocent girls and dedicated educators, but an assault on the values of safety and learning that schools embody.”

The First Lady who noted that President Tinubu had already ordered security agencies to ensure the quick and safe return of the abducted girl, as well as “bring the perpetrators to justice”, said her “heart and prayers are with the families, friends, loved ones and schoolmates at this time.”

Read also: Bandits kidnap 25 female students in Kebbi school

She also prayed that Almighty God grants quick rescue to the abducted girls.

The First Lady, at her meeting with the wives of the Service Chiefs, commended the Armed Forces and security agencies for their efforts at securing the nation.

Tinubu noted with sadness the abduction of 25 students of the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi State.

“It is very unfortunate and sad. Before we start this meeting, let us have a minute silence for the departed Vice Principal”.
She said the incident is a reminder that the service chiefs and their wives have stepped into a new role and responsibility that demands sacrifice and support.

“Your husbands signed to protect the nation and lives at the expense of their own lives. I pray that they succeed with their new responsibility and God will protect them as well.

“You are playing the supportive and complementary role to them. I expect that you will work hard with your husbands, hard to meet the expectations of the Commander-in-Chief and Nigerians in the fight against insecurity”.

She also reminded her guests that the Renewed Hope Initiative will hold its annual RHI Elderly Support Programme nationwide in December, noting that the veterans would be among the beneficiaries. She urged them to take the care of the elderly beyond the RHI.

In her remarks, Elizabeth Egbetokun, wife of the Inspector-General of Police, appreciated the First Lady for her efforts across the nation, especially in empowering the vulnerable, awarding scholarships, providing healthcare consumables, and more.

Also, the First Lady received the management of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), where she was decorated as the Grand Matron of the Road Safety Special Marshal by the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed.

While appreciating the Corps for the recognition, Tinubu called for the adoption of more technology and inter-agency collaboration to stem the number of road crashes.

The First Lady expressed hope to see more speed limits introduced across various roads and enforced with modern technology.

She also called for the deployment of more FRSC personnel on the roads during the yuletide to help reduce road crashes.