The 287 children abducted from Kuriga Primary and Secondary School in Chikun LGA of Kaduna State, North-West Nigeria have regained their freedom after 17 days in captivity.
Recall that 287 children were abducted from their school on March 7 immediately after their morning assembly.
A statement personally signed by Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani reads, “In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Most Merciful, I wish to announce that our Kuriga school children have been released.”
The Governor extends his appreciation to the President Bola Tinubu, for prioritising the safety and security of Nigerians, particularly in ensuring the safe release of the abducted Kuriga school children. He explained that during the children’s captivity, he spoke with the President several times, who shared “our pains, comforted us, and worked tirelessly with us to ensure the safe return of the children”.
Sani also commended the Office of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu for his role, stating that, “I spent sleepless nights with Mal. Ribadu finetuning strategies and coordinating the operations of the security agencies, which eventually resulted in this successful outcome.
The Nigerian Army also deserves special commendation for demonstrating that with courage, determination, and commitment, criminal elements can be degraded, and security restored in our communities.”
Governor Sani further expressed gratitude to Nigerians who fervently prayed for the safe return of the school children.
A total of 137 children abducted from Kuriga Primary and Secondary School in Chikun LGA of Kaduna State, North-West Nigeria have regained their freedom after 17 days in terrorists captivity.
Though reports after the abduction on March 7 indicated that 287 children were taken hostage, the military says it never gave any figures of persons abducted because what was in public domain as given by a teacher who escaped from the terrorists were all speculative.
In a statement by Director of Defence Media Operations, Major-General Edward Buba, the rescued hostages, totaling 137, comprise of 76 females and 61 males. They were rescued in Zamfara State and will be transported and handed over to the Kaduna State Government for further action.
“In the early hours of March 24, 2024, the military, in collaboration with local authorities and government agencies, conducted a coordinated search and rescue operation resulting in the liberation of the hostages. These individuals are the same ones abducted from the school in Kuriga, Chikun LGA, Kaduna State.”
Earlier, a statement personally signed by Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani read, “In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Most Merciful, I wish to announce that our Kuriga school children have been released.”
The Governor extended his appreciation to the President Bola Tinubu, for prioritising the safety and security of Nigerians, particularly in ensuring the safe release of the abducted Kuriga school children. He explained that during the children’s captivity, he spoke with the President several times, who shared “our pains, comforted us, and worked tirelessly with us to ensure the safe return of the children”.
Sani also commended the Office of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu for his role, stating that, “I spent sleepless nights with Mal. Ribadu finetuning strategies and coordinating the operations of the security agencies, which eventually resulted in this successful outcome.
The Nigerian Army also deserves special commendation for demonstrating that with courage, determination, and commitment, criminal elements can be degraded, and security restored in our communities.”
Governor Sani further expressed gratitude to Nigerians who fervently prayed for the safe return of the school children.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
