Governor Denies Ransom Payment as 137 Kidnapped Kaduna Schoolchildren Regain Freedom

The Defence Headquarters has revealed that troops rescued 137 abducted pupils of the LEA Primary School and the Government Secondary School Kuriga in the Chikun Local Government Area, Kaduna, within Zamfara State.

The Defence Headquarters announced that 137 Kaduna schoolchildren were rescued but it did not explain what happened to the remaining as 287 pupils were reportedly kidnapped from the schools on March 7, 2024.

Meanwhile, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State says contrary to reports, 137 schoolchildren, and not 287 schoolchildren, were abducted on March 7, 2024, from Kuriga in the Chikun Local Government Area of the state.

The governor, who clarified a Television programme on sunday said all schoolchildren abducted by the bandits had been rescued by the military in collaboration with local authorities from neighbouring Zamfara State where the hostages were moved to by their kidnappers.

The relieved governor said the number released by the military is the authentic figure, describing “287”, as a figment of some people’s imagination.

Also the state Governor has distanced controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi from the release of the schoolchildren abducted in Kuriga area of the state.

Sani said Gumi had offered to negotiate with the bandits for the release of the student but was not involved.

However, Governor Sani dismissed claims that ransom was paid to effect the release of the pupils