By John Shiklam in Kaduna
The Nigerian Military has handed over 131 of the 137 rescued Kuriga faculty kids to the Kaduna state governor, Senator Uba Sani.
The Common Officer Commanding (GOC), 1 Division of the Nigerian Military and Pressure Commander, Operation WHIRL PUNCH, Main. Gen. Mayirenso Saraso, handed over the youngsters to Governor Uba Sani on Monday on the Authorities Home, Kaduna.
The kids arrived on the Authorities Home at about 2pm in buses belonging to the 1 Division of the Nigerian Military amid tight safety.
They have been wearing new garments and sneakers and have been in excessive spirit. Journalists have been prevented from interviewing them.
Their mother and father have been conspicuously absent on the occasion. It was learnt that the absence of the mother and father was to forestall them from interacting with the media.
The state authorities is predicted to host the youngsters to a dinner within the night.
Talking throughout the event, Saraso mentioned, all of the 137 kids have been rescued unharmed, saying nonetheless that six of them have been at the moment receiving medicine on the military well being facility in Kaduna.
He mentioned the one instructor, Abubakar, who was kidnapped alongside the youngsters, died whereas in captivity.
In response to the GOC, the youngsters have been rescued in Dansadau forest in Zamfara state, by sustained and
coordinated software of each kinetic and non-kinetic efforts by the safety companies below the strategic steerage of President Bola Tinubu.
“Recall that on Thursday, seventh March 2024, some violent extremists and insurgents (VE/I) infamously known as armed bandits invaded the LEA Main College and the Authorities Secondary College each co-located at Kuriga, in Chikun Native Authorities Space of Kaduna State, the place they criminally kidnapped a number of pupils and college students together with a employees member of one of many two faculties.
“By way of the sustained and coordinated software of each kinetic and non-kinetic efforts by the safety companies below the strategic steerage of the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR by the Workplace of the Nationwide Safety Adviser (ONSA), the kidnapped Kuriga faculty kids have within the early hours of yesterday Sunday twenty fourth March 2024, been safely rescued after spending about 16 days in captivity”, the GOC mentioned.
He added that, “The scholars have been initially acquired and administered first assist on the Nigerian Military Troops Ahead Working Base Dandadau, in Zamfara State earlier than being served refreshment and subsequently conveyed from there below escort to Kaduna this morning/afternoon.
“In all, there have been 137 kids and one employees member making 138 individuals altogether that have been kidnapped from the co-located faculties on the ill-fated day.
“However sadly the employees member, Mr Abubakar just isn’t right here with us right this moment as a result of he died whereas in captivity.
“Consequently, there are right here at current, a complete of 137 college students of the Govt Secondary and LEA Main Colleges Kuriga in Chikun LGA of Kaduna State who have been efficiently rescued from captivity round Dansadau Forest in Zamfara State and safely introduced again to Kaduna. “The breakdown of the determine of the rescued kids reveals that there are 76 females and 61 males making the full of 137 all collectively (much less the instructor that died whereas in captivity).”
Saraso thanked President Bola Tinubu for his help and strategic steerage, by the Ministers of Defence, the Nationwide Safety Adviser (NSA), the Chief of Defence Workers (CDS), Service Chiefs, Heads of different Safety and regulation enforcement companies, the Kaduna state authorities and the GOC, 8 Division of the Nigerian Military, who severally contributed within the profitable rescue efforts and the protected return of the varsity kids, “with out cost of ransom”.
In his remarks, Governor Sani expressed happiness over the protected return of the youngsters and thank the safety companies for his or her efforts in liberating the youngsters.
The governor additionally warned the media, insecurity and conflicts retailers to be cautious about points regarding safety.
“We’ve got to be cautious, we must always not politicise the difficulty of insecurity in Nigeria.
“Any try and proceed to undermine the efforts of safety companies in Nigeria within the title of politics is jeopardizing the lives and property of our harmless residents in Nigeria”, the governor mentioned.
Talking additional, he mentioned, “I need to warning significantly the media and a few components throughout the society.
“For the reason that return of those kids they’ve been coming with some permutations about what occurred and the way this kids have been launched.
“In my very own opinion perhaps most of those individuals are not completely satisfied that these kids are again, as a result of if they’re completely satisfied, they need to have fun it.
“That’s crucial factor identical to the households of this kids are celebrating their returns”.
The governor mentioned the Kaduna state authorities was completely satisfied over the discharge of the youngsters.
“We had 16 days of sleepless nights however right this moment we’re completely satisfied that the youngsters are again and I need to emphasize once more that in Kaduna, we are going to proceed to work with related safety companies to make sure that all our communities are protected on the grassroots”, he mentioned.
The governor additionally known as on communities to sort out the difficulty of informants of their midst.