JUST-IN: Troops Rescued Only 137 Kuriga Schoolchildren In Zamfara — DHQ

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has said that its troops, in collaboration with local authorities, rescued only 137 schoolchildren abducted at Kuriga in Chikun local government area of Kaduna State.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, said the schoolchildren comprising 76 females and 61 males were rescued in the early hours of Sunday, March 24, 2024, at a location in Zamfara State.

Recall that terrorists on March 7, 2024 invaded LEA School Kuriga, Chikun LGA of Kaduna State, and abducted 287 schoolchildren.

The federal government had directed the military to ensure the safe return of the schoolchildren.

LEADERSHIP earlier reports on Sunday that the schoolchildren had been rescued, according to the state governor, Uba Sani, who made the first announcement about the rescue of the schoolchildren without giving the exact number of the victims early Sunday morning.

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However, according to the DHQ statement, the military during the incident said it committed to leaving no stone unturned until all the hostages were rescued.

“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 totalling 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,” Major General Buba said.

The military high command said the efforts would continue until other hostages were found and the terrorists arrested, tried, and brought to justice by Nigerian law.

“Troops are employing similar effort to track down the culprits responsible for the killings of 18 soldiers in Okuama Community in Delta State. Justice await the culprits, as they can not go unpunished,” he added.