
In a recent statement, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State clarified that 137, not 287, schoolchildren were abducted on March 7, 2024, from Kuriga in the Chikun Local Government Area.
He revealed this during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics programme.
The governor affirmed that all abducted schoolchildren have been rescued by the military in collaboration with local authorities from neighbouring Zamfara State, where the hostages were moved by their kidnappers.
The Defence Headquarters confirmed on Saturday that a total of 137 students were rescued. Governor Sani expressed regret that a teacher who was kidnapped alongside the pupils passed away due to complications while in captivity. He extended condolences to the teacher’s family and offered consolation to the families of the released schoolchildren.
Additionally, Governor Sani stated that Kaduna-based Muslim cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, was not involved in the safe return of the pupils, despite offering to negotiate with bandits for their release.