The abductors of 137 Kuriga School children in Chikun local government of Kaduna State have been killed during rescue operations LEADERSHIP learnt.
The school children were rescued in Zamfara State on 24 March 2024 after a fierce battle between the terrorists and the military in collaboration with civilian joint task force elements.
The Defence Headquarters had in a statement said the children were rescued by troops in collaboration with local authorities.
“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 same persons that were abducted from the school at Kuriga in Chikun LGA of Kaduna State.
“The rescued hostages totaling 137 comprise of 76 females and 61 males. They were rescued in Zamfara State and would be conveyed and handed over to the Kaduna State Government for further action” the statement read.
They were released 18 days after their abduction but the authorities did not mention if ransom was paid to secure their release.
However, Defence spokesperson, General Edward Buba in an exclusive chat with LEADERSHIP Weekend said the children were released following a coordinated military operations with no arrests made rather, he said some of the terrorists were killed in the operation.
On whether arrests were made, he said “several were killed in military action, and no arrest was made.”
Speaking at a briefing on Thursday, General Buba said the armed force was bent on sustaining the winning ways of its operational engagements as demonstrated with the recent rescue of 16 and 137 hostages in Sokoto and Kaduna States, respectively.
“The rescue of these hostages is indicative of a better understanding of the dynamics of what we are dealing with and to address the issue in a much safer manner”.
He explained that the rescue operations were based on collaboration between the military working with local authorities and government agencies across the country, in a coordinated approach.
“The success demonstrates the unwavering commitment of the armed forces to secure and protect the citizens against harm and acts of terror.
He continued “The pressure of military operations created a significant level of distress both for the terrorist and the children. Given the situation, troops line of interest was the children. The level of distressed created by the children was sufficient enough for troops to exploit in their rescue.”
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