President Bola Tinubu has welcomed the news of the release of the Kuriga schoolchildren in Kaduna State, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between the federal government and states for expected outcomes, especially on matters of security.
This came as the Nigerian Defence Headquarters (DHQ) revealed that the 137 school children who were kidnapped from LEA School Kuriga in Chikun LG of Kaduna State have been rescued from their abductors.
In a statement that was released on Sunday by the Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, the military said that it will continue to make efforts until hostages from other abduction attacks have been secured and the perpetrators of terrorism arrested.
The statement read, “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.
“Relatedly, it would be recalled that on 21 Mar 24, troops equally rescued 16 pupils (Almajiris) with a woman taken hostage in Gada LGA of Sokoto State. 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.”
The President, in a statement released by his special adviser on media and publicity Ajuri Ngelale on Sunday, commended 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.
He also welcomed the release of pupils of a Tsangaya school in Sokoto State, commending all the parties to the feat for their valiant effort.
President Tinubu assured Nigerians that his administration is deploying detailed strategies to ensure that schools remain “safe sanctuaries of learning, not lairs for wanton abductions.”
The rescue operation, conducted in the early hours of March 24, 2024, marks a significant breakthrough following the harrowing incident that occurred on March 7, 2024.
Terrorists had early on Thursday morning March 7, stormed LGEA Primary School, Kuriga, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State and kidnapped scores of pupils and teachers at about 8:20 am immediately after the morning assembly.
Chioma Kalu and Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi
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