The Kebbi State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Youth Forum has criticized the Zamfara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for its comments on the ongoing rescue operation for 25 female students abducted from Government Comprehensive Secondary School in Talata-Mafara Local Government Area.
In a statement, the group’s Chairman, Nasiru Maga, accused the Zamfara PDP of attempting to politicize a national security matter by criticizing the deployment of the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, to coordinate the rescue operation. The APC Youth Forum described the PDP’s remarks as “unpatriotic and insensitive,” stating that the opposition’s actions were aimed at distracting security agencies and undermining federal intervention in the rescue mission.
The forum alleged that the criticism was issued while families were still awaiting the safe return of the abducted girls, and called on security agencies to investigate what it described as deliberate attempts to politicize insecurity. The group commended President Bola Tinubu for his prompt response to the incident and expressed confidence in Matawalle’s ability to lead the operation effectively, citing his experience in dealing with security challenges in the North-West.
The APC Youth Forum urged political leaders to avoid making statements that could demoralize troops or compromise security efforts during the rescue operation. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of students in the region and the need for a coordinated response to security challenges. The Nigerian government has deployed security personnel to the area, and an investigation into the abduction is ongoing.
The rescue operation is a significant development in the region, where security challenges have been a major concern in recent years. The APC Youth Forum’s criticism of the PDP’s comments highlights the need for political leaders to prioritize national security over political rivalry. As the rescue operation continues, the focus remains on ensuring the safe return of the abducted students and addressing the underlying security challenges in the region.