137 abducted Kuriga school children regain freedom after two weeks in captivity

…Governor thanks President, NSA, NA

…Some of the children are now orphans — Parent alleges

By Austine Emmanuel, Kaduna

The 280 school children kidnapped in Kuriga, Chikun LGA, Kaduna State have been released, according to an announcement by Kaduna State Government on Sunday.

Announcing the release of the pupils in the early hours of Sunday morning in a letter of appreciation, the Executive Governor of Kaduna state, Senator Uba Sani thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, (NSA) and the Nigeria Army (NA) and other patriots for their efforts.

The statement reads, “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, GCFR for prioritising 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,” he said.

The health condition of the children is yet to be ascertained as at the time of filing this report.

It could be recalled that 280 school children were kidnapped in Kuriga when gunmen riding on motorcycles stormed the school on March 8, carting away the children.

…Some of the children are now orphans – Parent alleges

One of the fathers of the Kuriga School Children who regained freedom on Saturday night, Jubril Gwadabe Kuriga has alleged that some parents died within the period the children were in captivity.

The Defence headquarters rescued in Zamfara State, 137 of the 287 primary school pupils Kuriga, kidnapped in Kaduna State.

Major Gen Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations said the rescued hostages totalling 137 comprise of 76 females and 61 males.

Jubril who spoke to journalists in Kaduna, said “My name is Jubril Gwadabe Kuriga. Tafida Kuriga. I have a child by name Aisha. She was among those kidnapped too.

“We were traumatised throughout the period of the absence of our children. Our children were away in the bush, no food, no good water.

“Let me tell you, sometimes 12 o’clock, 1 o’clock in the night, I would wake up, I would just be crying, thinking how is she? Has she eaten? I think of all that because I know if she is at home, normally before she goes to school in the morning, she would eat then she would come back to eat breakfast and then when they close two o’clock before she goes for Islamiyya she takes something.

“I am always playing with her at home but with her absence now I’ve been feeling very bad. They said all the children are back. That is what they said all of them are back but seeing is believing.

“There is a woman whose four children were among the kidnapped pupils. She could not eat, she could not sleep.

“If I can even tell you some parents are dead within the period the children were with kidnappers. I cannot tell you the number of those that died. But I believe some are dead.

“Government called us and informed us that the children are with them. That is the true story, but we have not seen them yet.

“They promised us that by tomorrow (Monday) they will hand over the children to us. Each student or child will be handed over to the parents.We are feeling happy because it is not easy missing your child for this long period of time, so, we need to be happy.

“With the presence of security now in our area, we are going to mount the security so that our children can go back to school.

“We are happy that we now have security presence. We are going to use them to see that our children go back to school.”