Nigeria says 137 abducted schoolchildren rescued
KANO, Nigeria (AA) – Nigeria on Sunday said troops had rescued students who were abducted from a school in the town of Kuriga, Kaduna state, earlier this month.
Army spokesman Edward Buba, in a statement shared with Anadolu, said the victims were rescued in the early hours by troops with support from local authorities and government in the state of Zamfara.
Buba put the number of the rescued people at 137 — 76 female and 61 male –, adding that they would be handed over to the state government.
However, 286 pupils and one staff member were said to have been abducted on March 7. The Kaduna gunmen then demanded a total of 1 billion naira ($680,000) for their release within 20 days.
Kaduna governor Uba Sani also confirmed that “our Kuriga school children have been released.” He appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu for their efforts and coordinating the security operations, which eventually resulted “in this successful outcome.”
The Nigerian army also deserves “special commendation for showing that with courage, determination and commitment, criminal elements can be degraded and security restored in our communities,” he added.
Abductions of students from schools in Nigeria are common.
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