The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has disclosed that the military rescued 137 students kidnapped from Kuriga in Chikun local government area of Kaduna state in Zamfara.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Edward Buba, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
According to him, “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.
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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 male. 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.
“Troops are employing similar effort to trackdown the culprits responsible for the killings of 18 soldiers in Okuama community in Delta State. Justice await the culprits, as they cannot go unpunished.”
Earlier, the Kaduna State governor, Uba Sani commended the efforts of President Bola Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, the Nigerian Army and all Nigerians for their fervent prayers.
“In the name of Allah the Beneficient, the Most Merciful, I wish to announce that our Kuriga school children have been released.
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“Our special appreciation goes to our dear President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR for prioritizing the safety and security of Nigerians and particularly ensuring that the abducted Kuriga school children are released unharmed.
