The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says the level of distress created by the abducted Kuriga school children provided sufficient grounds for the troops to exploit and rescue them.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, made this known while briefing newsmen on Thursday in Abuja on the operations of the armed forces across the country.
Buba said pressure of military operations also created significant level of distress for the terrorists, making it more convenient for troops to rescue the 137 school children on March 24.
”The armed force is bent on sustaining the winning ways of our operational engagements as demonstrated with the recent rescue of 16 and 137 hostages in Sokoto and Kaduna States, respectively.
“The success demonstrates the unwavering commitment of the armed forces to secure and protect the citizens against harm and acts of terror.
“The level of distressed created by the children was sufficient enough for troops to exploit in their rescue,” he added.
On 24th March, 2024, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) disclosed that the military rescued 137 students kidnapped from Kuriga in Chikun local government area of Kaduna state.
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.”
It would be recalled that the pupils were abducted on March 7, 2024, at a Local Education Authority (LEA) Primary School and a Junior Secondary School in Kuriga village, of Chikun local government area Kaduna State.
They were eventually rescued by troops on Sunday morning from an unknown location in Zamfara state, where the bandits had held them for 18 days.
Parents of the students and leaders of the Kuriga community had earlier trooped to the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Sunday when they heard the news that the abducted children had been freed and were going to be reunited with their families and relations.
However, they were later instructed to wait until Monday before they met them.
NAN
