By Zakaa Lazarus, Abuja
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), on Sunday said, the military working with local authorities and government agencies across the country, in a coordinated search and rescue operation rescued the hostages.
The military said the hostages are same persons that were abducted from the school at Kuriga in Chikun LGA of Kaduna State.
In a press statement by the Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba said the rescued hostages totalling 137 comprise of 76 females and 61 male.
“Another batch of rescued pupils
They were rescued in Zamfara State and would be conveyed and handed over to the Kaduna State Government for further action.
“It would be recalled that , on 7 March 2024, troops received information that terrorists had invaded LEA School Kuriga in Chikun LG of Kaduna State.
“More of the rescued children being conveyed to their homes
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.
“Relatedly, it would be recalled that on 21 Mar 24, troops equally rescued 16 pupils (Almajiris) with a woman taken hostage in Gada LGA of Sokoto State. These hostages were handed over to the Sokoto State Government.
“These efforts demonstrate the armed forces resolve to finding other innocent hostages and track down the terrorists that perpetrated these crimes.
“These efforts would continue until other hostages are found and the terrorists arrested, tried, and brought to justice by Nigerian law.
“Troops are employing similar effort to trackdown the culprits responsible for the killings of 18 soldiers in Okuama Community in Delta State. Justice await the culprits, as they can not go unpunished, ” the statement said.
