The Nigerian Army has shared details of how several schoolchildren kidnapped by bandits in Kuriga, Kaduna State, were rescued in Zamfara State.
This detail was contained in a statement on Sunday by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba.
Buba said that the military worked with local authorities and government agencies across Nigeria in a search and rescue operation.
That operation led to the rescue of the students.
Buba said the Kaduna students kidnapped on March 7, 2024, were rescued in the early hours of March 24, 2024.
Kidnapped Kaduna Students
The statement confirmed that the rescued hostages totalling 137, comprise of 76 females and 61 males.
Also, it said that the rescued Kaduna students would be conveyed and handed over to the Kaduna State Government for further action.
The statement read: “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.
“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.
Rescued Persons
“The rescued hostages totalling 137 comprise of 76 females and 61 male.
“They were rescued in Zamfara State.
“They would be conveyed and handed over to the Kaduna State Government for further action.”
Buba added that troops rescued 16 pupils (Almajiris) with a woman taken hostage in Gada LGA of Sokoto State.
The rescued Kaduna students have been handed over to the state government.
Also, he vowed that the military would continue track down criminals.
This includes those responsible for the killing of soldiers in Delta State and bring them all to justice.
“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.
Justice Awaits The Culprits
“The 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.
Also Read: 287 Abducted Kaduna Students Regain Freedom From Kidnapper’s Den
“These efforts would continue until other hostages are found.
“The terrorists must be 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 awaits the culprits, as they cannot go unpunished,” the statement further read.
