Our reporter/ The 287 schoolchildren abducted from Kuriga, Kaduna north central Nigeria have been released, two weeks after they were taken away by bandits.
The students were kidnapped when the gunmen on motorcycles rode through their school, taking them away in an incident that sparked national outrage and condemnation.
The schoolchildren, mostly between 8 and 15 years old, regained their freedom according to a statement by the state governor, Uba Sani early on Sunday morning.
“In the name of Allah the Beneficient, the Most Merciful, I wish to announce that our Kuriga school children have been released”, the statement reads.
The governor thanked President Bola Tinubu, government officials and security agencies for their role in the students’ freedom.
“While the school children were in captivity, I spoke with Mr. President several times,” he said. “He shared our pains, comforted us and worked round the clock with us to ensure the safe return of the children.”
Although the mass kidnapping of students have reduced in recent months since the bandits began targeting schools, the Kuriga abduction was reminiscent of the April 2014 seizure of over 200 students in Chibok, Borno State.
Tinubu, who ruled out payment of ransom for the release of the students, and military authorities in the country, were, however, “confident that the victims will be rescued”.
“The Kaduna State Government and Security Agencies are working round the clock to ensure the safe return of the school children,” Governor Sani wrote on his X account just after the incident.
“I have received strong assurances from the President and National Security Adviser that no stone will be left unturned to bring back the children.”
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