A former Defence Intelligence Chief, Commodore Kunle Olawunmi (rtd), strongly believes money changed hands between terrorists and government in the matter of the freedom of 137 Kuriga school children but the federal government has vehemently denied it.
Retired Olawumi’s logic on Arise Television on Monday: Terrorists will never give up their prized victims without being compensated for all they went through. Moreover, there was no evidence of a shoot-out.
Nonetheless, the good news is that the children are back home as the
Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has clarified reports that 287 students of the Government Primary and Secondary School in Kuriga, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, were abducted by bandits. He said only 137 were abducted and freed.
A teacher at the school, Sani Abdullahi, did not return. He died.
Community people and the media had said 287 students were missing after the attack on the school by terrorists on March 7, 2024.
The Defence Headquarters said the abducted victims were rescued through coordinated search and rescue operations conducted by the military in collaboration with local authorities and government agencies.
The DHQ disclosed that a total of 137 persons, comprising 76 females and 61 males were rescued in Zamfara State.
But now,, Governor Sani, in an interview with Channels Television on Sunday night, said all the 137 students abducted by gunmen have been accounted for.
The governor said contrary to 287 being reported, 137 students were kidnapped from the school.
He stressed that the members of the community, who did not have the records of the school, released the number of the abductees to the media.
Sani, who disclosed that the families of the abducted students confirmed 137 as the exact number of abducted students, said: “There was nobody who ever confirmed that the children were 287. Nobody came with a specific figure. I listened to most media coming up with figures.
“I knew at that time that the figures were not correct because I had been interfacing with the school authorities; we have the register and records in Kaduna. At that critical time, I didn’t want to join issues with anyone in terms of numbers.
“Those numbers were just figments of some people’s imaginations, which they gave to the media. I remember when I visited the community on that very day, some people within the community who had no record just said that the figure was 287.
“At that time, as a leader, I should not bother myself about the figures or numbers; what is more important is the return of the children.
“I met the families of the children, and they confirmed to me that the number given by the military is the correct number.
“If you listened to what the Nigerian Army said, exactly 137 children were released. That is the number.
According to him, only the teacher did not return because he was sick in captivity.
“Sadly, one person had not returned. That is the teacher.
“We had an unfortunate incident – the teacher could not make it because he had some complications. He was sick, that is the information we got from the military. But the rest of the children, all of them have gotten back home safely.”
Meanwhile, the Federal Government says it did not pay ransom to secure the release of children abducted in Sokoto and Kaduna.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said on Monday in Abuja at the end of a Federal Executive Council meeting that President Bola Tinubu had made it clear that no ransom should be paid to bandits and kidnappers so as not to encourage them.
The minister reassured that the children had been reunited with their families safely and in good health as directed by the president.
He said that Tinubu had also challenged security agencies to ensure that abductions and kidnappings were brought to an end in Nigeria.
Mr Idris said government was prepared to work with those ready to give advice that could end the dastardly acts, but would not spare those found complicit.
“Mr President and cabinet members are happy to note that as promised, the children were rescued and reunited with their families and no ransom was paid
“The Federal Executive Council and Mr President are very grateful to, especially the National Security Adviser, Service Chiefs and security agents who participated diligently in ensuring that this kidnapped children are reunited with their families.