The Nigerian Army has handed over 131 of the 137 rescued Kuriga schoolchildren to the Kaduna State governor, Senator Uba Sani.
General Officer Commanding (GOC) I Division of the Nigerian Army and Force Commander, Operation WHIRL PUNCH, Major. Gen. Mayirenso Saraso, handed over the children to Sani at Government House, Kaduna.
Saraso said all the 137 children were rescued unhurt, and six of them were currently receiving medication at the army health facility in Kaduna.
He said the only teacher, Abubakar, who was abducted alongside the children, died while in captivity.
The GOC said the children were rescued in Dansadau forest in Zamfara State through sustained and coordinated application of both kinetic and non-kinetic efforts by the security agencies under the strategic guidance of President Bola Tinubu.
He stated, “Recall that on Thursday, 7th March 2024, some violent extremists and insurgents (VE/I) infamously called armed bandits invaded the LEA Primary School and the Government Secondary School both co-located at Kuriga, in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, where they criminally abducted several pupils and students, including a staff member of one of the two schools.
“Through the sustained and coordinated application of both kinetic and non-kinetic efforts by the security agencies under the strategic guidance of the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, through the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the abducted Kuriga school children have in the early hours of on Monday, Sunday 24th March 2024, been safely rescued after spending about 16 days in captivity.
“The students were initially received and administered first aid at the Nigerian Army Troops Forward Operating Base, Dandadau, in Zamfara State, before being served refreshment and, subsequently, conveyed from there under escort to Kaduna this morning/afternoon.
“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.
“Consequently, there are here at present a total of 137 students of the Govt Secondary and LEA Primary Schools Kuriga in Chikun LGA of Kaduna State, who were successfully rescued from captivity around Dansadau forest in Zamfara State and safely brought back to Kaduna.
“The breakdown of the figure of the rescued children shows that there are 76 females and 61 males, making the total of 137 altogether (less the teacher that died while in captivity).”
The GOC thanked Tinubu for his support and strategic guidance, through the Ministers of Defence, NSA, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), service chiefs, heads of other security and law enforcement agencies, the Kaduna State government, and the GOC, 8 Division of the Nigerian Army, who severally contributed to the successful rescue efforts and the safe return of the school children, “without payment of ransom.”
In his remarks, Sani expressed happiness over the safe return of the children and thanked the security agencies for their effort.
The governor also warned the media, insecurity and conflicts merchants to be cautious of issues concerning security.
He said, “We have to be cautious, we should not politicise the issue of insecurity in Nigeria. Any attempt to continue to undermine the efforts of security agencies in Nigeria in the name of politics is jeopardising the lives and property of our innocent citizens in Nigeria.”
He added, “I want to caution particularly the media and some elements within the society. Since the return of these children, they have been coming with some permutations about what happened and how this children were released.
“In my own opinion maybe most of these people are not happy that these children are back, because if they are happy, they should celebrate it. That is the most important thing, just like the families of these children are celebrating their returns.”
The governor said his government was happy over the release of the children.
He stated, “We had 16 days of sleepless nights but today we are happy that the children are back and I want to emphasise again that in Kaduna, we will continue to work with relevant security agencies to ensure that all our communities are safe at the grassroots.”
Sani called on communities to tackle the issue of informants in their midst.
The schoolchildren arrived at the Government House about 2pm in buses belonging to the 1 Division of the Nigerian Army amid tight security. They were dressed in new clothes and shoes and were in high spirits. But journalists were prevented from interviewing them.
Their parents were conspicuously absent at the event. It was learnt that the absence of the parents was to prevent them from interacting with the media.
The state government was expected to host the children to dinner on Monday evening.
Meanwhile Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) said the rescue of the 137 abducted schoolchildren signalled a new dawn in anti-terrorism measures being adopted by the government.
In a statement in Kaduna, the forum expressed joy over the safe return of the children.
The statement signed by the spokesperson of the forum, Professor Tanimu Muhammad-Baba, said the rescue of the children was highly commendable. It said the operation was made possible by collaboration between various security stakeholders and locals.
ACF stated, “This is as should be, as many have, indeed, been stridently calling for such an approach to stamping out for good, the menace of terrorism and banditry that has (posed) existential threats to communities in Nigeria.
“ACF also rejoices with the students, their parents and guardians.
“Going forward, ACF calls for strengthening this new anti-terrorism multi-stakeholder, multi-pronged strategy, involving all those with direct and indirect responsibilities for securing peoples and communities and, ultimately, Nigeria.”
The forum also called for intensified efforts towards the release of other captives, everywhere.
The statement added, “For Kuriga, this is vital, because the number of victims released is at variance with earlier figures of abductees as, indeed, reflected in various news reports.
“The adoption of simple but effective community-based measures, including simple or user-friendly gadgets, incorporating solid intelligence gathering and processing, for early warning, early response strategy to secure all vulnerable communities and facilities;
“Psychological counselling for the released victims so that mental effect of the trauma is minimised and they return to normalcy soonest.
“ACF reiterates its earlier call on the parents and students to remain defiant and not to be discouraged. The terror merchants must not be allowed any semblance of victory, pyrrhic as it will be; and the immediate rehabilitation of schools to make the learning environment conducive.”
Deji Elumoye and John Shiklam
Follow us on:
https://cdn.veri.app/13646108-d5ec-478b-a54c-b01f60dbca29.mp4 President Bola Ahmed Tinubu On Thursday directed Vice President, Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s…
The United Sates (US) Vice President Kamala Harris has expressed her willingness to use her…
Gabriella Uwadiegwu says cultural and societal barriers hinder women's tech careers, citing biases and limited…
Brazil has fined Elon Musk’s companies, X (formerly Twitter) and Starlink, after users in the…
The European Union has pledged to provide Ukraine with a substantial loan of up to…
President of Zimbabwe Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa will not be attending this year’s United Nations General…
View Comments
government of Nigerian opportunities to get a car of your choice at a minimum price E-AUCTION E-AUCTION E-AUCTION E-AUCTION E-AUCTION Some Auction Vehicles/Cars For Sale
Mama Africa #17,000 •Tomatoes Rice # *15,000* •Cap Rice #15,000 •My Food #17,000 •Mama Gold #17,500 •Ade Brazil #15,000 •Elephant Gold #15,000 •Royal Umbrella #15,000 Etc.
Golf3= 500,000.
Camry Tinny-Light=500,000.
Tundra 1,300,000
Toyota Exterra=850,000
Toyota Camry big daddy=650,000
Toyota Venza= 1.7million
Toyota Avalon=850,000
Toyota Rav4=950,000
Toyota Prado=1.3million
TOYOTA HILUX=2million
Toyota Sienna=850,000
TOYOTA 4-RUNNER=950,000
Toyota Corolla=650,000
Toyota Matrix= 700,000
Toyota Highlander=950,000
Toyota Picnic=500,000
Tacoma 1.850,000
Toyota Hiace Bus=950,000
Toyota Tundra=1.5million
Toyota Sequola=900,000
BMW 5-series=1.960,000
BMW 3-series=1.640,000
BMW X6=2.670,000
Ford Edge=700,000
Ford Escape=600,000
Honda Elantra=600,000
Honda Baby-Boy=700,000
Dyna Truck 900k
TIPPER Head 6mill
Honda Accord=550,000
Honda CRV=650,000
HONDA CIVIC=500,000
HONDA EVIL-SPIRIT=750,000
HONDA ODYSSEY=500,000
Honda Pilot=850,000
Nissan pathfinder=800,000
Nissan Amanda=750,000
Infinity=950,000
Benz C250=N1.300,000
Benz C300=1.6MILLION
Benz ML350=2 million
Benz ML300=1.5 million
Benz ML550=2.6million
Mercedes-Benz C-Class ₦1.3Million
Mercedes-Benz E-Class ₦1.8Million
Mercedes-Benz GLK ₦3.Million
Es330 1.6
Lexus C5 350=950,000
IS250 1m
Lexus Rx300=1.2 million
Lexus Rx330=1.5 million
Is350 2mill
Gx470 1.8mill
Lexus Rx350= 2 million
ES350 2mill
Land Rover Discovery ₦3.2Million
Land Rover Freelander ₦3.6Million
Land Range Rover Sport ₦4Million
Acura MDX ₦1.8Million
Pequot 206=350,000
Pequot 406=470,000
Pequot 607=650,000
.....
((08132115039) (+234_915__6089_111)