The Kebbi State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Youth Forum has faulted the Zamfara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for its remarks on the ongoing rescue operation for 25 female students abducted from Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Talata-Mafara Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
The group, in a statement issued in Birnin Kebbi by its Chairman, Comrade Nasiru Maga, accused the Zamfara PDP of attempting to politicise a national security issue, describing the party’s comments as “unpatriotic and insensitive.”
According to the statement, the opposition’s criticism of the deployment of the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, to coordinate the rescue efforts was unwarranted and capable of undermining the ongoing operation.
“While families are still praying for the safe return of the abducted girls, it is disappointing that the Zamfara PDP is issuing press statements to discredit the rescue efforts simply because of political rivalry,” the statement read.
The forum alleged that the Zamfara PDP’s intervention was aimed at distracting security agencies and weakening federal intervention in the rescue mission. It also urged the Department of State Services, DSS, the Nigerian Army and the Police to investigate what it described as deliberate attempts by the opposition to politicise insecurity.
The APC youth group commended President Bola Tinubu for his swift response to the abduction and for prioritising the safety of schoolchildren. It also expressed confidence in Matawalle’s capacity to lead the operation, citing his experience in managing security challenges in the North-West.
“We believe the minister, who has vast experience dealing with security challenges in the region, will ensure that the kidnapped students are rescued safely,” it added.
The forum appealed to political leaders to refrain from making statements capable of demoralising security operatives or jeopardising ongoing efforts to secure the release of the students.
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