Former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, has urged the Federal Government to adopt a more proactive approach in tackling insurgency and banditry following the abduction of dozens of students in Borno State.

Ndume’s appeal followed Monday’s attack on a school in Lassa, Askira/Uba Local Government Area, where terrorists reportedly abducted students who were sitting for the ongoing National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations.

According to reports, the attackers, who were disguised as military personnel and members of the newly established Forest Guard security outfit, stormed the school, fired sporadically and abducted about 42 students, as well as women selling food within the school premises.

The senator, who represents Borno South Senatorial District where the incident occurred, said the latest abduction underscored the need for the Federal Government and state authorities to intensify efforts to address the country’s security challenges.

“This fresh abduction is disconcerting, coming at a time when we don’t know the fate of the children of Mussa, who were kidnapped last month,” Ndume said.

He appealed to security agencies to intensify rescue operations and ensure the safe return of all those abducted, including the students of Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School, victims kidnapped in Ngoshe, those abducted along the Buratai-Biu Road and the latest victims from Lassa.

Ndume stressed that the best way to reassure Nigerians that the government remains in control of the security situation is to take the fight directly to the hideouts of insurgents and criminal gangs.

“The way to disabuse the minds of Nigerians that the terrorists are overwhelming the government and security personnel is to take the battle to their hideouts and reassure Nigerians that they can conveniently sleep with their two eyes closed,” he said.

The lawmaker, however, commended security personnel for their swift response to the latest attack, noting that their intervention led to the rescue of some of the victims.

He also called for stronger collaboration among the military, police and other security agencies to prevent further attacks and strengthen ongoing operations against insurgents and bandits across the country.