Bayo Onanuga, the Presidential Adviser on Information and Strategy, has expressed the Federal Government’s concern regarding the Catholic bishop and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) chairman in Niger State for not providing vital information about the recent terrorist attack on a Catholic boarding school.
In an interview with Arise News from 7:03, he emphasized that their lack of communication has led to confusion about the actual number of missing students. Onanuga detailed that during the night attack, many students escaped in various directions, with dozens returning home.
He pointed out that initial estimates from CAN members varied dramatically between 215 and 315 missing students, with later reports suggesting that over 50 students had been found. Government records indicate that 51 students have been reunified with their families, yet the authorities remain unclear on how many are still unaccounted for.
Onanuga mentioned that both the governor of Niger State and security forces have requested a complete list of the missing students, but the bishop and the CAN chairman have yet to provide this information.
He stated that this situation has left security personnel in a difficult position, unable to verify the number of abducted children. Moreover, Onanuga claimed that the CAN chairman allegedly ordered the school principal not to communicate with security agencies, which hinders cooperation.
He underscored that this lack of collaboration has turned the situation into one of speculation rather than established facts, leaving the government unsure of the actual scale of the attack.
He remarked, “Up to now, I don’t know what game the Catholic bishop or the CAN chairman in Niger is playing.”
“They are not working with the government, and I am unsure of their reasons. Even the security personnel are perplexed as to why they are withholding the names.”
“They need clarity on how many people are truly missing, but as of now, no one knows for sure because the CAN bishop and chairman instructed the principal not to engage with security officials.” View, More,
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