137 Kuriga schoolchildren who had been abducted by bandits and rescued by Nigerian Army and other security agencies have been reunited with their parents by Kaduna State governor, Uba Sani on Thursday.
After being held captive in Zamfara for 16 days, the children were presented to Governor Uba Sani at the Kaduna Government House earlier this week.
The governor, who later hosted the children to a dinner at the state house, oversaw the emotional handover to their families with the support of security agencies on Thursday.
In a post on his verified Facebook page, Governor Uba Sani expressed the children’s readiness to move past their traumatic experience and focus on their education, assuring that they have been medically and psychologically cleared to resume their studies.
He also revealed plans by the Uba Sani Foundation to sponsor the children’s education up to tertiary level in recognition of their bravery and determination to continue learning.
Furthermore, the Kaduna State Government will provide financial compensation to the family of the deceased Head Teacher, Mal. Abubakar, who passed away in captivity, and offer scholarships to all his children for their education up to tertiary level.
Renovation, fencing, and improved security measures will be implemented at the LEA Primary and Secondary School in Kuriga to ensure a safe learning environment for the students to return to classes.
Additionally, the Kuriga community will receive essential amenities, with Governor Uba Sani advocating for the establishment of a military base in the area to enhance security, a request he has raised with the Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Army Staff.