President Muhammadu Buhari has tasked the Nigeria Police to speed up actions and ensure that everyone involved in the kidnap and killing of three students of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) last month were arrested and prosecuted.
The President, who expressed sadness over the incident and offered his condolences to the families of the victims, the authorities of the university, as well as the Rivers State government, described the incident as heinous.
The President’s feelings were conveyed in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, and made available to State House Correspondents on Sunday evening.
He said his administration would continue to equip security and law enforcement agencies as required so that they could live up to their responsibilities and see to it that the menace of kidnapping could be finally brought under control.
According to the President, “This administration will continue to equip the law enforcement and security agencies to bring to an end the evil activities of kidnappers in the country.”
How, the statement noted the charge to the police on the UNIPORT, saying “President Buhari, while noting that the Nigerian Police Anti-Kidnapping Unit has apprehended one of the suspected perpetrators, further directs the Police Authorities to intensify search for the remaining suspects and bring them to justice.
“President Muhammadu Buhari commiserates with the families of three University of Port Harcourt students reportedly murdered by their kidnappers and their bodies buried in a shallow grave in April.
“The President also extends condolences to the university authorities and the Rivers State Government over the unfortunate incident.
“Describing the tragic occurrence as ‘sad and heinous’, President Buhari regrets that the ‘evil perpetrators have cut short the prospectively bright journey of these youths.
“He prays that God will comfort all those who mourn these young students, and grant their souls eternal rest”, the statement said.