Despite the rescue of 137 abducted schoolchildren by the troops of Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Abuja in collaboration with local authorities, 150 are still missing.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, said the schoolchildren comprising 76 females and 61 males were rescued in the early hours of Sunday, March 24, 2024, at a location in Zamfara State.
Recall that Straightnews had published that terrorists abducted 287 school children at LEA School Kuriga, Chikun LGA of Kaduna State on March 7, 2024.
The federal government had directed the military to ensure the safe return of the schoolchildren.
According to the DHQ statement, the military during the incident said it committed to leaving no stone unturned until all the hostages were rescued.
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“Accordingly, 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.
“The rescued hostages totalling 137 comprise of 76 females and 61 males. They were rescued in Zamfara State and would be conveyed and handed over to the Kaduna State Government for further action,” Major General Buba said.
The military high command said the efforts would continue until other hostages were found and the terrorists arrested, tried, and brought to justice by Nigerian law.
“Troops are employing similar effort to track down the culprits responsible for the killings of 18 soldiers in Okuama Community in Delta State. Justice await the culprits, as they cannot go unpunished,” he added.
Tinubu, Obi welcome the news
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has welcomed the news of the release of the Kuriga school children in Kaduna State, and emphasized the importance of collaboration between the Federal Government and states for expected outcomes, especially on matters of security.
The President in a statement by Presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale commended the National Security Adviser, the security agencies, and the Kaduna State Government for the dispatch and diligence with which they handled the situation.
He noted that incipient urgency, meticulous attention, and tireless dedication are critical to optimal outcomes in cases of mass abductions.
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.
Tinubu assured Nigerians that his administration is deploying detailed strategies to ensure that schools remain safe sanctuaries of learning, not lairs for wanton abductions.
Moreover, Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party Presidential candidate in his X wrote ‘’It is comforting to hear that 287 school children abducted in Kaduna have been released. It is hard to imagine the mental pain and trauma the children must have gone through in the hands of their abductors.’’
Obi noted ‘‘The report of their release is however reassuring to the nation and their parents. I thank the government , the security agencies, and all those who made immense efforts to see that our children are released from captivity and reunited with their families.
‘‘Efforts should also be made, not just to release many of our people in the different kidnappers dens across the country, but to end the scourge of insecurity completely.
‘‘We must ensure that every Nigerian is safe in Nigeria, by not giving terrorists any operating space in our nation. No Nigerian should ever be a captive or hostage anywhere in his fatherland.
‘‘I encourage every Nigerian, in the midst of these dark and fearful nights in our nation where danger seems to be lurking on every corner, to remain hopeful for the new dawn of a secure and safe nation – the New Nigeria which is POssible.’’
