President Bola Tinubu has expressed relief and gratitude over the safe return of the 24 schoolgirls kidnapped by terrorists in Maga, Kebbi State, last Monday.

Recall that terrorists struck the school at dawn on November 17 and abducted the girls, moments after a military detachment left the premises.

The Kebbi incident triggered other copycat kidnappings in Eruku, Kwara State, and Papiri, Niger State.

It was reported that all 38 kidnapped victims in Eruku were freed on Sunday.

On the same day, the Niger State chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria said 50 of the missing students of the Catholic school in Niger had been found in their parents’ homes.

Bayo Onanuga, the spokesperson to the President, said that Tinubu has applauded the security agents for their efforts in securing freedom for all the victims taken away by the terrorists.

He further tasked the security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the remaining students still being held captive.

“I am relieved that all the 24 girls have been accounted for. Now, we must put as a matter of urgency more boots on the ground in the vulnerable areas to avert further incidents of kidnapping,” Tinubu said, according to Bayo Onanuga.

“My government will offer all the assistance needed to achieve this,” President Tinubu said.