- 287, Figment Of Some People’s Imagination, Only 137 Were Abducted- Katsina Gov, DHQ Clarify
- Rescue Of Abducted Student Result Of Collaboration Between FG, States – Tinubu
- Atiku, Obi Hail Students’ Release, Call For Strengthening Of The Safe School Initiative
- Kaduna Gov, Sani Uba Absolves Sheikh Gumi Of Any Role In Rescue Of Students
As Nigerians celebrated the rescue of the abducted from LEA Primary School and Government Secondary School, Kuriga in the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, fresh controversies have trailed the actual number of students that were abducted.
The Matrix like many other news mediums, had reported that on March 7, about 287 schoolchildren were kidnapped when the gunmen on motorcycles rode through their school, taking them away in an incident that sparked outrage and condemnation from several quarters including the UN children’s welfare agency UNICEF.
However, the state’s governor Uba Sani, on Sunday disclosed that contrary to reports, only 137 schoolchildren, and not 287, were abducted.
The governor, who made the clarification on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics programme, said all the schoolchildren abducted by marauding bandits have been rescued by the military in collaboration with local authorities from neighbouring Zamfara State, where the hostages were moved by their kidnappers.
Similarly, the Defence Headquarters, on Saturday, said a total of 137 students were rescued, contrary to reports that 287 children were abducted by bandits.
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The relieved governor said the number released by the military is the authentic figure, describing “287”, as a figment of some people’s imagination.
“I don’t want to join issues with anyone in terms of numbers. What is more important to me is the safe return of the children. Today, I am happy that they are back safely, in high spirits, but those numbers were just figments of some people’s imagination,” the governor stated.
“Today, I met with the families of the children and they confirmed to me that the numbers given by the military are the correct numbers,” he added, describing the “287” as works of propagandists.
Sani, however, regretted that a teacher who was kidnapped alongside the pupils couldn’t make it out alive as he developed some complications while in captivity. He commiserated with the family of the deceased teacher and consoled the families of the released schoolchildren.
He said, “It’s only one person that has not returned and that is the teacher. That is the fact of the matter but all of the 137 children are safely back. We had the unfortunate incident that the teacher couldn’t make it because he had some complications; he was sick — that was the report we got from the military and the security agencies but the rest of the children, all of them are back with us.”
Reacting to the release of the abducted student, President Bola Tinubu hailed the National Security Agency, Nuhu Ribadu and other security agencies over the safe rescue of the abducted students.
“President Bola Tinubu welcomes the news of the release of the Kuriga school children in Kaduna State and emphasizes the importance of collaboration between the federal government and states for expected outcomes, especially on matters of security,” a statement by presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale read.
“The President commends the National Security Adviser, the Security Agencies, and the Kaduna State Government for the dispatch and diligence with which they handled this situation, noting that incipient urgency, meticulous attention, and tireless dedication are critical to optimal outcomes in cases of mass abductions.”
The Commander-in-Chief also welcomed “the release of pupils of a Tsangaya school in Sokoto State, commending all the parties to the feat for their valiant effort.”
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He assured Nigerians that his administration is deploying detailed strategies to ensure that our schools remain safe sanctuaries of learning, not lairs for wanton abductions.
Similarly, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and his Labour Party counterpart, Peter Obi have hailed the rescue of the abducted student.
This is even as they called for the strengthening of the Safe School Initiative to prioritise the protection of schools, especially in the areas that are most vulnerable to mass kidnap of school children.
According to Obi, the news of the children’s release is comforting. He asked the Federal Government to ensure that every Nigerian still held by kidnappers is also released.
“It is comforting to hear that 287 school children abducted in Kaduna have been released. It is hard to imagine the mental pain and trauma the children must have gone through in the hands of their abductors,” he said.
“Efforts should also be made, not just to release many of our people in the different kidnappers’ dens across the country, but to end the scourge of insecurity completely.
“I encourage every Nigerian, in the midst of these dark and fearful nights in our nation where danger seems to be lurking on every corner, to remain hopeful for the new dawn of a secure and safe nation – the New Nigeria which is possible.”
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Atiku on his part wants the nation’s security architecture to be overhauled amidst the several security threats confronting the nation.
He also called for the “strengthening of the Safe School Initiative that prioritises the protection of schools, especially in the areas that are most vulnerable to mass kidnap of school children.”
“But above all, there should be an overhaul of the security architecture to meet the demands of the threats facing us.”
Meanwhile, the governor also said Kaduna-based Muslim cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, was not involved in the safe return of the pupils, though the cleric had offered to negotiate with bandits for the release of the pupils.
Sani said, “All those speculations you are hearing today are figments of some people’s imagination. I can tell you that without any fear of contradiction. There was nothing like Gumi in this operation. I can tell you. I won’t undermine the efforts of our Armed Forces.”
