Six out of the 137 Kuriga, Kaduna state students rescued from kidnappers by the military are receiving treatment in the hospital. One of the teachers, who was also abducted Abubakar, died in captivity.
By Emma Ogbuehi
Six out of the 137 Kuriga, Kaduna state students rescued from kidnappers by the military are receiving treatment in the hospital. One of the teachers, who was also abducted Abubakar, died in captivity.
This was disclosed by the General Officer, 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Mayirenso Saraso, after handing over 131 Kuriga children to the Kaduna State governor, Uba Sani at the Government House.
Saraso said the hospitalised students would be handed over to the state government when doctors certify them fit.
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) had on Sunday, provided details on how the abducted Kuriga students, Kaduna state, were rescued in Zamfara state, saying that it was through coordinated search and rescue operation conducted by the military in collaboration with local authorities and government agencies.
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The explanation came on the heels of an announcement by Governor Sani late on Saturday night that the students had regained their freedom.
Bandits invaded the LEA Primary School and Government Secondary School, Kuriga, Chikun Local Government Area, Kaduna on March 7, 2024 and abducted the students.
The students, comprising 76 females and 61 males, were rescued in Zamfara State on Sunday morning, according to the military.
The bandits had requested a ransom of N1 billion for their release and set a deadline of March 27. However, the federal government said no ransom was paid to secure the release of the students.
Speaking at the Kaduna Government House, General Saraso said both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches were adopted to rescue the students, who spent 16 days in captivity.
He also said one teacher, Mr Abubakar, who was also abducted, died in captivity.
The general explained that 131 students were physically brought to the Government House on Monday because six were hospitalised at a military facility in the state.
“In all, there were 137 children and one staff member making 138 persons altogether that were abducted from the co-located schools on the ill-fated day. But unfortunately, the staff member, Mr Abubakar, is not here with us today because he died while in captivity,” he said.
The rescued students were brought in six coaster buses belonging to the 1 Division Nigerian Army to the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House in Kaduna around 2 pm Monday.
They were received by top government officials led by Sani Kila, the Chief of Staff to the governor.