*76 females, 61 males regain freedom – DDI
*We commend President Tinubu, security forces – Kaduna Gov.
By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Armed Forces of Nigeria on Sunday confirmed that concerted collaboration with local authorities and government agencies across the country led to the rescue of 137 pupils of Local Educatiin Authority (LEA) School, Kuriga in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The students, numbering about 287, were kidnapped March 7th, when the gunmen on several motorcycles rode to the school, taking them away in an incident that sparked national outrage and condemnation.
For weeks, the terrorists also known as bandits seized the schoolchildren mostly aged between 8 and 15 years old, before they regained their freedom.
Maj-Gen. Edward Buba, the Director, Defence Media Operations said in a press statement Sunday that the students were rescued in the early hours of 24 March, 2024.
He said the rescued hostages comprising of 76 females and 61 males were rescued in Zamfara State and would be conveyed and handed over to the Kaduna State Government for further action.
“In the name of Allah the Beneficient, the Most Merciful, I wish to announce that our Kuriga school children have been released,” the Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, said in an early Sunday morning statement.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, government officials and security agencies for their roles in the students’ freedom.
“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 their safe return of the children,” the Governor said.
Speaking on other successful operations, Gen. Buba said, “it would be recalled that on 21 March, 2024, troops equally rescued 16 pupils (Almajiris), with a woman taken as hostage in Gada LGA of Sokoto State.
“These hostages were handed over to the Sokoto State Government. These efforts demonstrate the Armed Forces resolve to finding other innocent hostages and track down the terrorists that perpetrated these crimes.
“These efforts would continue until other hostages are found and the terrorists arrested, tried, and brought to justice by Nigerian law.
“Troops are employing similar effort to trackdown 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,” the DDMO added.
The Defence spokesman, however, did not state whether or not ransom was paid and if there was any gunfire exchange between the military and the terrorists and if there was any casualty during the rescue operation.
