The US Department of State says the gunmen responsible for abducting over 300 students of the Government Science Secondary School (GSSS), Kankara in Katsina State on December 11 must be brought to justice.
In a statement, the US government said that the assailants must be held accountable “to the full extent of the law”.
The statement signed by a Department of State spokesperson, Cale Brown was released Thursday after Governor Aminu Masari confirmed the release of all 344 Kankara boys.
“We offer our sincere sympathies to the families of the missing students and the security guard killed in the attack.
“School should be a safe place where children can learn and thrive.
“The boys must be returned to their families immediately and those responsible for this attack held accountable to the full extent of the law,” the statement read in part.
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Recall that a presidential statement quoted President Muhammadu Buhari as welcoming the release of the school boys.
He described the safe return of the Kankara boys “as a big relief to their families, the entire country and international community”.
In a short remark shortly after their release was announced, President Buhari expressed the nation’s appreciation for the steps taken by all involved to make their release possible.
President Buhari specifically cited what he called the “spirit of partnership and the collaborative efforts of the government of Katsina, Zamfara and military leading to the release.’’
He commended the nation’s intelligence agencies, the military and police force for providing the environment for safe release of the hostages.
“The Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, and the army worked extremely hard. As soon as I got the information I congratulated them. The Armed Forces know their job. They have been well trained and properly motivated,” the president said.