The Defence Headquarters says troops have rescued 137 abducted pupils and teachers of LEA School Kuriga in the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna within Zamfara State.
It may be recalled that, on March 7, about 287 pupils and teachers of the school were abducted by suspected terrorists.
Their abductors subsequently requested a ransom of N1bn for their release, setting a deadline of March 27, 2024, for the payment.
But the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj Gen. Edward Buba, said the victims were rescued in the early hours of Sunday [today] by the troops, with support from local authorities and government agencies.
“It would be recalled that, on March 7, 2024, troops received information that terrorists had invaded LEA School Kuriga in Chikun LG of Kaduna State During the incident, unconfirmed number of pupils were abducted.
“Following the incident, the military committed to leaving no stone unturned until all the hostages were rescued.
“Accordingly, in the early hours of March 24, 2024, the military, working with local authorities and government agencies across the country, in a coordinated search and rescue operation, rescued the hostages.
“The hostages are the same persons that were abducted from the school at Kuriga in Chikun LGA of Kaduna State.
“The rescued hostages totalling 137, comprise 76 females and 61 males, were rescued in Zamfara State and would be conveyed and handed over to the Kaduna State Government for further action.”
