Over 200 kidnapped schoolchildren freed by gunmen in Nigeria, governor confirms
Over 200 schoolchildren who were abducted in Nigeria have been freed, according to the governor of Kaduna state. The release was confirmed in a statement made by the governor on Sunday.
Nearly 300 schoolchildren who were kidnapped in Nigeria earlier this month have now been released. The governor of Kaduna state, Uba Sani, shared the news on X on Sunday. Sani mentioned that the abducted Kuriga school children are unharmed, but did not give more information. He also expressed gratitude to Nigerian President Bola Tinubu for his continuous efforts in ensuring the safe return of the children.
On March 7, armed bandits on motorcycles abducted over 300 students from the LEA Primary and Secondary School in Kuriga village, located in Kaduna’s Chikun district, according to the state’s police spokesman Mansur Hassan who spoke to CNN.
Despite some students being rescued, the kidnappers still held 287 students captive, with approximately 100 from the primary school and the rest from the secondary school.
The local community member revealed that the gunmen had requested a ransom of 1 billion naira ($620,000) last week. They also threatened to harm all the students if their demands were not fulfilled.
A general view of Kuriga school in Kuririga on March 8, 2024, where more than 250 pupils kidnapped by gunmen. Nigeria's President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on March 8, 2024 sent troops to rescue more than 250 pupils kidnapped by gunmen from a school in the country's northwest in one of the largest mass abductions in three years. The Kaduna state attack was the second mass kidnapping in a week in Africa's most populous state, where heavily armed criminal gangs on motorbikes target victims in villages and schools and along highways in the hunt for ransom payments. Local government officials in Kaduna State confirmed the kidnapping attack on Kuriga school on March 7, 2024, but they have still not given figures as they said they were still working out how many children had been abducted. (Photo by Haidar Umar / AFP) (Photo by HAIDAR UMAR/AFP via Getty Images)
On March 8, 2024, more than 250 pupils were kidnapped by gunmen at Kuriga school in Kuririga. This incident marked one of the largest mass abductions in Nigeria in three years. In response, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu deployed troops to rescue the abducted students from the school in the country's northwest.
The Kaduna state attack was the second mass kidnapping in a week in Africa's most populous state. Criminal gangs, heavily armed and riding motorbikes, have been targeting victims in villages, schools, and along highways in search of ransom payments. This alarming trend has raised concerns about the safety and security of individuals in the region.
Local government officials in Kaduna State confirmed the kidnapping at Kuriga school on March 7, 2024. However, they have not yet provided exact figures as they are still determining the number of children who were taken. The situation remains tense as efforts are underway to ensure the safe return of the abducted pupils.
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Sani mentioned on Sunday that the National Security Adviser of the country, Nuhu Ribadu, had overseen the coordination of the security agencies' operations, leading to a successful outcome.
Sani also praised the Nigerian Army for their bravery, determination, and dedication in degrading criminal elements and restoring security in our communities.
Kaduna state, located southwest of the Nigerian capital Abuja, has been facing challenges with frequent cases of kidnappings for ransom by bandits. In recent years, there have been multiple incidents of mass abductions in the state.
The information was previously reported by Nimi Princewill in Abuja and Mariya Knight.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
Editor's P/S:
The release of the kidnapped schoolchildren in Nigeria brings a glimmer of hope amidst the ongoing security challenges in the country. The safe return of these young lives is a testament to the unwavering efforts of the Nigerian government and security forces, as well as the resilience of the affected communities. While the circumstances surrounding their release remain unclear, it is encouraging to know that the children are unharmed.
However, the incident underscores the alarming trend of mass kidnappings in Nigeria, particularly in the northwest region. Criminal gangs, motivated by financial gain, have been terrorizing villages and schools, targeting innocent civilians for ransom. This has created a sense of fear and insecurity among the population, disrupting their daily lives and threatening their well-being. It is imperative that the Nigerian government and international partners work together to address this issue, strengthening security measures, prosecuting perpetrators, and addressing the root causes of instability in the region.
