President Muhammadu Buhari presided over a meeting of the National Security Council on Tuesday, few hours after the release of 279 schoolgirls abducted in Jangebe, Zamfara.

Gunmen abducted the girls from the Government Girls Junior Secondary School in Jangebe, in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara last Friday, but they were released on Tuesday.

The president had earlier expressed joy over the release of the female students.

Mr. Buhari directed security officials to apprehend all the bandits involved and bring them to justice.

Earlier Tuesday, Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara praised “repentant” bandits’ efforts in securing the Jangebe schoolgirls’ release.

“This is the result of our peace efforts (with bandits) and putting to shame all those saying there is no security in this country,” the governor said.

Tuesday’s council meeting might review the renewed onslaught against insurgency, banditry and other violent crimes to achieve desired goals.

In attendance at the meeting were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Secretary to Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Gambari and the Minister of Defence, Retired Maj.-Gen. Bashir Magashi.

Others were the ministers of Police Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi; Interior, Rauf Aregbesola; the Chief of Defence Staff, Maj.-Gen. Lucky Irabor, other Service Chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu. 

(NAN)