President Bola Tinubu has received news of the release of the Kuriga school children in Kaduna State with joy and emphasised the importance of collaboration between the federal government and states for expected outcomes, especially on matters of security.
This was conveyed in a statement on Sunday by Chief Ajuri Ngelale,Special Adviser to the President(Media & Publicity).
The President commends the National Security Adviser, the Security Agencies, and the Kaduna State Government for the dispatch and diligence with which they handled this situation, noting that incipient urgency, meticulous attention, and tireless dedication are critical to optimal outcomes in cases of mass abductions.
President Tinubu also welcomed the release of pupils of a Tsangaya school in Sokoto State, commending all the parties to the feat for their valiant effort.
The President assured Nigerians that his administration was deploying detailed strategies to ensure that our schools remain safe sanctuaries of learning, not lairs for wanton abductions.
The Daily Crucible reports that motorcycle – ridding bandits invaded the Kuriga school on March 7, abducted 287 school children and herded them into the forest before the securities agencies could arrive.
But on Sunday, March 24, the Defence Headquarters gave details of how the 287 primary school pupils were rescued.
It said they were rescued in Zamfara State.
Major Gen Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, said the rescued hostages totalling 137 comprise of 76 females and 61 males.
He said, “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.
“It would be recalled that, on 7 March 2024, troops received information that terrorists had invaded LEA School Kuriga in Chikun LG of Kaduna State.
“During the incident unconfirmed number of pupils were abducted.
“Following the incident, the military committed to leaving no stone unturned until all the hostages were rescued.
“The rescued hostages totalling 137 comprise of 76 females and 61 male.
“They were rescued in Zamfara State and would be conveyed and handed over to the Kaduna State Government for further action.
“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.”
