By Augustine Okezie, Kastina

Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), Dr. Kayode Fayemi, on Tuesday paid a solidarity visit to Katsina State Governor Aminu Bello Masari, on the release of the abducted 344 pupils of Government Science Secondary School in Kankara, Katsina State.

Fayemi, who is also the Ekiti State governor, was accompanied by Governors Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto) and Abubakar Bagudu (Kebbi).

They expressed joy with Masari that the abducted pupils were returned safely on time.

Fayemi told reporters after the meeting with Masari at the Government House in Katsina that he and his colleagues were planning programmes that would make youths to shun crimes.

He said: “My colleagues and I were concerned about the security situation in the Northwest and other parts of the country.

“For us at the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, we believe that we not only have to be tough on banditry, kidnapping and criminality generally, but we also have to be tough on the causes of these problems. Social inequality, poverty are key issues.

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“We have to ensure that our states drive away our young people from the merchants of death who are using them as canon fodders for this criminal brigandage. We can only do that if we provide them with an alternative means of livelihood and support system that will not endear them to these elements that are endangering the whole of our country.

“This is something that we are committed to as governors in working with Mr. President so that we don’t keep talking about the same thing over and over again.

“We are all tired and frustrated that these issues are happening. But we know that with concerted efforts on our part, as governors, and the commitment of the Federal Government, we shall see the end of this criminality, this brigandage in our states.

“So, we are here in solidarity with the governor and the good people of Katsina State to reassure them, give them hope that help is on the way. We will work together and return our country to peace, progress, development and prosperity.”

Fayemi hailed President Muhammadu Buhar for ensuring that the abducted pupils were rescued on time.

Also, the Federal Government yesterday said timely action as well as synergy among security and intelligence agencies were key factors in the rescue of the 344 abducted schoolboys.

It also cited the patriotism of the residents and other stakeholders in the successful rescue operation on December 17.

Speaking on Special NAN Forum in Abuja, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, reiterated that no ransom was paid for the release of the schoolboys.

The minister also said both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches were adopted in ensuring that all the boys were released without harm.

“(It was) kinetic in the sense that there was a show of force by the military on the land and in the air. They completely dominated the area where the children were kept.

“While this was going on, we also employed dialogue, persuasion and reached out to people that could be an influence on the abductors,” he said.