Damilare Adeleye
A total of 287 schoolchildren and staff abducted from a secondary and primary school in Kuriga, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State have been released, the Nigerian Voice learnt.
Governor Uba Sani of the State confirmed this in a terse statement issued in the early hours of Sunday.
Recall on March 7, gunmen invaded the Local Government Authority Education (LGEA) Primary School where no fewer than 312 pupils and students of Government Secondary School (GSS), Kuriga were abducted.
However, 25 schoolchildren were said to have returned home that morning, leaving behind 287 victims with the captors.
Six days after their abduction, the captors demanded N1bn for their release, a development that occurred barely 24 hours after Islamic Scholar Ahmad Gumi told the federal government he was willing to expedite the release of the schoolchildren through negotiation.
Speaking on the development, Governor Sani said: “In the name of Allah the Beneficent, the Most Merciful, I wish to announce that our Kuriga school children have been released.
“Our special appreciation goes to our dear President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu 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.
“Special mention must also be made of our dear brother, the National Security Adviser, Mal. Nuhu Ribadu for his exemplary leadership.
“I spent sleepless nights with Mal. Ribadu fine tuning strategies and coordinating the operations of the security agencies, which eventually resulted in this successful outcome.
“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.”
