The Defense Headquarters announced that troops rescued the schoolchildren and teachers who were taken from LEA School Kuriga in the Chikun Local Government Area in Kaduna and placed in Zamfara State.
Approximately 287 students and teachers from the school were kidnapped by suspected terrorists on March 7, 2024, and transported into the forest.
The kidnappers demanded N1bn as ransom for their release and set a deadline of March 27, 2024, for the payment.
However, Maj Gen. Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, reported in a statement that the victims were rescued early Sunday by the troops with the assistance of local authorities and government agencies.
Buba stated that 137 individuals, including 76 females and 61 males, were rescued and will be taken to Kaduna and handed over to the state government.
In a statement, Gen. Buba explained, “Troops received information on March 7, 2024, about terrorists invading LEA School Kuriga in Chikun LG of Kaduna State and abducting an unconfirmed number of pupils. After the incident, the military pledged to leave no stone unturned until all the hostages were rescued.
“As a result, in the early hours of March 24, 2024, the military, in a coordinated search and rescue operation with local authorities and government agencies nationwide, saved the hostages.
“The hostages, totaling 137 and including 76 females and 61 males, were rescued in Zamfara State and will be conveyed to the Kaduna State Government for further action.”
The rescue of the Kaduna pupils occurred one day after 16 pupils (Almajiris) and a woman were rescued in Gada LGA of Sokoto State by the troops.
The rescued victims were handed over to the Sokoto State Government by the troops.
Buba mentioned that the recent victories of the troops illustrate their determination to rescue kidnapped victims throughout the country.
He also remarked that similar efforts have been undertaken to apprehend those responsible for the killing of soldiers in Delta State.
Buba described, “These efforts demonstrate the resolve of the armed forces to locate other innocent hostages and capture the terrorists responsible for these crimes.
“These efforts will persist until other hostages are located and the terrorists are arrested, tried, and brought to justice in accordance with Nigerian law.
The troops are employing similar measures to track down those responsible for the deaths of 18 soldiers in Okuama Community in Delta State.
The Defense Headquarters announced that troops rescued the abducted pupils and teachers of LEA School Kuriga in the Chikun Local Government Area in Kaduna within Zamfara State. On March 7, 2024, approximately 287 pupils and teachers from the school were abducted by suspected terrorists who took them into the forest. Their abductors subsequently requested a ransom of N1bn for their release, setting a deadline of March 27, 2024, for the payment.
