Abducted Kaduna School Pupils, Teachers Regain Freedom-Gov Sanni

• Defence Headquarters confirm the rescue of 137 out of the 287 kidnapped Kaduna State schoolchildren in Zamfara State

The abducted school pupils and teachers of a joint Primary and Secondary School in Kuriga community, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, have regained freedom from their abductors.

A statement signed by the state governor, Senator Uba Sani, confirmed the release of the school children on Sunday.

Gov Sani said, “I wish to announce that our Kuriga school children have been released.

“Our special appreciation goes to our dear President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for prioritising the safety and security of Nigerians and particularly ensuring that the abducted Kuriga school children are released unharmed.

“While the school children were in captivity, I spoke with Mr President several times. He shared our pains, comforted us, and worked round the clock with us to ensure the safe return of the children.”

The governor also appreciated the courage of the officers of the Nigerian Army for seeing to the successful release of the schoolchildren.

“The Nigerian Army also deserves special commendation for showing that with courage, determination and commitment, criminal elements can be degraded and security restored in our communities.

“We also thank all Nigerians who prayed fervently for the safe return of the school children. This is indeed a day of joy. We give Almighty Allah all the glory.”

Gentechnews reported that gunmen, suspected to be bandits, on March 7, attacked the schoolchildren from LEA Primary School and Government Secondary School, Kuriga, and abducted over 100 pupils and teachers.

The abductors demanded N1bn for their release while giving a deadline of March 27, 2024, for the payment of the ransom.

Gentechnews gathered that the victims, a total of 137, had been taken to hospitals for medical attention.

Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters has confirmed the rescue of 137 out of the 287 kidnapped Kaduna State schoolchildren in Zamfara State.

A statement today, March 24 said that those rescued were made up of 76 females and 61 males.

The Defence Headquarter’s statement, issued by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, said that the students were rescued in Zamfara State and will be transported and handed over to the Kaduna State Government.

“It would be recalled that on 7 March 2024, troops received information that terrorists had invaded LEA School Kuriga in Chikun LG of Kaduna State. During the incident an unconfirmed number of pupils were abducted.

“Following the incident, the military committed to leaving no stone unturned until all the hostages were rescued.

“Accordingly, in the early hours of 24 March 2024, the military working with local authorities and government agencies across the country, in a coordinated search and rescue operation rescued the hostages.

“The hostages are the same persons that were abducted from the school at Kuriga in Chikun LGA of Kaduna State.

“The rescued hostages totalling 137 comprise 76 females and 61 male.

“They were rescued in Zamfara State and would be conveyed and handed over to the Kaduna State Government for further action.

“Relatedly, it would be recalled that on 21 Mar 24, troops equally rescued 16 pupils (Almajiris) with a woman taken hostage in Gada LGA of Sokoto State.

“These hostages were handed over to the Sokoto State Government.

“These efforts demonstrate the armed forces resolve to finding other innocent hostages and track down the terrorists that perpetrated these crimes.

“These efforts would continue until other hostages are found and the terrorists arrested, tried, and brought to justice by Nigerian law.

“Troops are employing similar efforts to trackdown the culprits responsible for the killings of 18 soldiers in Okuama Community in Delta State.

“Justice awaits the culprits, as they cannot go unpunished.”