March 25, (THEWILL) – The Federal Government, on Monday, said no ransom was paid to free the 137 school pupils of LEA Primary School and Government Secondary School abducted by bandits who attacked Kuriga Community in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna, on March 7, 2023.
THEWILL earlier reported that the abductors demanded N1 billion for their release while giving a deadline of March 27, 2024, for the payment of the ransom.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, in a statement on Sunday, said the school pupils, comprising 76 females and 61 males, were rescued in Zamfara State in the early hours of Sunday, through the joint efforts of the military and local authorities.
But speaking on Monday, after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, told State House correspondents that President Tinubu kept to his promise to rescue the schoolchildren without any ransom.
“As promised by Mr. President, they have been rescued. No ransom was paid,” he said.
President Tinubu had at the last cabinet meeting directed security agencies to ensure the release of all abducted victims across the country, including the Kuriga schoolchildren, insisting no ransom must be paid to kidnappers.
The Minister applauded President Tinubu, the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Service Chiefs, and everyone else who made a significant contribution to the kids’ release.
Meanwhile, the General Officer 1 Division Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Saraso, on Monday, handed over 131 of the 137 schoolchildren to Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani.
Six of the rescued schoolchildren, including a male and five females, are undergoing medical treatment at the Dalet Barrack Hospital of 1 Division Nigerian Army, the GOC said.
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