Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong is full of praises and admiration to security personnel for their swift response that thwarted the attempted kidnap of four students at the Plateau State University, Bokkos.
The attempted kidnap was said to have occurred on Monday night when gunmen stormed the off-campus student residences at Ndar Community near the University campus and attempted to kidnap four students.
On receiving the distress call, officers of Operation Safe Haven, Operation Rainbow, Nigeria Police, University Security and Community Watch Group mobilised and went after the kidnappers who had taken four students. Facing apparent capture, the criminals aborted their mission and ran away leading to the safe recovery of the students.
Governor Lalong who commended the security agencies for rising up to the occasion and being proactive directed the immediate establishment of a police post within the host community of the University in order to forestall any future reoccurrence.
The Governor also directed that security is tightened in all other schools across the State to guarantee the safety and security of students.
It would be recalled that the Governor had last year directed the University Management to improve security of the institution which led to the installation of CCTV surveillance and early warning systems all over the campus as well as the preparation for fencing of the entire campus.
The Governor has assured the students that all necessary measures will continue to be employed to ensure that they learn and dwell under a peaceful, secure and conducive environment.
Meanwhile, the Governor has again appealed to the citizens to assist security agencies with relevant intelligence that will lead to not only the arrest of the fleeing kidnappers, but to the apprehension of all criminal elements that are bent on disrupting the peace of the State.
He also commends the Local Government Chairman Yusuf Machen for sustaining synergy with the security agencies and the University community which is key to achieving peace and security in the area. He wants this tempo sustained as traditonal and community leaders as well as the newly deployed community police constables to be carried along to frustrate the plans criminals.
Thank God they were not taken!
May God protect us.