The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) announced on Sunday that troops successfully rescued the abducted pupils and teachers of LEA School Kuriga in the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State within Zamfara State, News About Nigeria reports.
The rescue operation comes after the abduction of about 287 pupils and teachers on March 7, 2024, by suspected terrorists who took them into the forest.
The terrorists demanded a ransom of N1 billion for their release, setting a deadline of March 27, 2024, for the payment.
Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, revealed that the victims, numbering 137, including 76 females and 61 males, were rescued in the early hours of Sunday by the troops with support from local authorities and government agencies.
They will be conveyed to Kaduna and handed over to the state government.
Buba said, “Following the incident, the military committed to leaving no stone unturned until all the hostages were rescued.”
He stated that the coordinated efforts of the military, local authorities, and government agencies were responsible for executing the successful rescue operation.
The latest rescue mission follows a similar operation the day before, where troops rescued 16 pupils (Almajiris) and a woman who were taken hostage in Gada LGA of Sokoto State.
He mentioned that in addition to rescuing hostages, efforts are underway to track down those responsible for the killing of 18 soldiers in Okuama Community in Delta State.
Buba assured that the troops would continue their operations until all hostages are found, and the perpetrators of these crimes are arrested, tried, and brought to justice.
He added, “These efforts demonstrate the armed forces’ resolve to find 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 efforts to track down the culprits responsible for the killings of 18 soldiers in Okuama Community in Delta State.”
