BREAKING: Abducted Kaduna Schoolchildren Regain Freedom

Kaduna State governor, Senator Sani Uba, on Sunday morning, announced the release of the abducted pupils and staff of a joint Primary and Secondary School in Kuriga, Chikun local government areas of the State.

“In the name of Allah the Beneficent, the Most Merciful, I wish to announce that our Kuriga school children have been released,” the Governor said in a statement early Sunday morning.

LEADERSHIP recalls that about 280 schoolchildren and teachers were kidnapped when gunmen riding on motorcycles stormed the school on March 8, 2024.

Governor Uba, while responding to the mass abduction, had expressed the commitment of his government, in collaboration with the federal government and the security agencies, to ensure the safe return of the kidnapped children.

In announcing the release of the schoolchildren, the governor thanked President Bola Tinubu for prioritising the safety and security of Nigerians and particularly ensuring that the abducted Kuriga schoolchildren 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 said.

He also commended the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, with whom he said he spent sleepless nights “fine tuning strategies and coordinating the operations of the security agencies, which eventually resulted in this successful outcome.”

In the same vein, Governor Sani hailed the Nigerian Army, especially “for showing that with courage, determination and commitment, criminal elements can be degraded and security restored in our communities.”

He further thanked Nigerians, who prayed fervently for the safe return of the schoolchildren.

“This is indeed a day of joy. We give Almighty Allah all the glory,” an elated Governor Uba Sani stated.