By 
…Okonjo-Iweala thanks security forces
By Bisi LAWAL
The military working with local authorities and government agencies across the country, in a coordinated search and rescue operation rescued 137 of the 287 primary school pupils Kuriga, kidnapped in Kaduna State.
Major Gen Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations who gave the details said the rescued hostages totalling 137 comprise of 76 females and 61 males.
He said, “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 the same persons that were abducted from the school at Kuriga in Chikun LGA of Kaduna State.
“It would be recalled that, on 7, 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.
“The rescued hostages totalling 137 comprise 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 track down the culprits responsible for the killings of 18 soldiers in Okuama Community in Delta State.
“Justice await the culprits, as they cannot go unpunished.”
Meanwhile, the Director General of the World Trade Organization, WTO, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has commended the security forces and the government on the rescue of the kidnapped school children from Kuriga area of Kaduna State, adding that it is time for the government to ensure the protection of schools through the Safe Schools Initiative in Nigeria.
In a statement vis her verified X handle on Sunday, Okonjo-Iweala stated, “Wonderful news on the release of the abducted children from Kuriga!! Thanks to the Security forces and all in Govt involved in their release.
“Now let the Safe Schools Initiative kick in to better protect our children and encourage parents to send and keep their children in school.”
Recall that the 287 Kuriga school children recently abducted by the bandits in Kaduna State, before regaining their freedom.
This was disclosed by Governor Uba Sani in the early hours of Sunday.
Comments