About 287 abducted school children from Kuriga, Kaduna State have regained their freedom two weeks after they were taken away by unknown gunmen.
The Governor of the state, Uba Sani made the disclosure on Sunday morning.
“In the name of Allah the Beneficent, the Most Merciful, I wish to announce that our Kuriga school children have been released.”
The governor thanked President Bola Tinubu, government officials and security agencies for their role in the students’ freedom.
“While the school children were in captivity, I spoke with Mr. President several times,” he said. “He shared our pains, comforted us and worked round the clock with us to ensure the safe return of the children.”
Although the mass kidnapping of students have reduced in recent months since the bandits began targeting schools, the Kuriga abduction was reminiscent of the April 2014 seizure of over 200 students from Chibok, Borno State.
President Tinubu and military authorities in the country were, however, confident that the victims will be rescued and also ruled out the payment of ransom.
To match his words with action, he directed troops to ensure the safe return of the students.
“The Kaduna State Government and Security Agencies are working round the clock to ensure the safe return of the school children.
“I have received strong assurances from the President and National Security Adviser that no stone will be left unturned to bring back the children,” the governor said.
one of the teachers in the school disclosed that at GSS Kuriga, 187 students are presently missing, while in the primary school, 125 pupils were initially missing, but 25 of them escaped and retired home.
The mass abduction in Kuriga came days after suspected terrorists seized some persons from an internally displaced people (IDP) camp in Borno State.
