….Hails release of the 287 abducted school children in Kaduna
….Calls for overhaul of security architecture to meet demands of threats facing us
By Simplicious Josiah
Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 25, 2023 general election, Atiku Abubakar has recommended to the federal government the strengthening of the Safe School Initiative that prioritises the protection of schools, especially in the areas that are most vulnerable to mass kidnap of school children.
Atiku made the recoomendation on Sunday in reaction to the news of the release of the abducted Kuriga school children in Kaduna after 16 days in captivity.
The Turaki Adamawa who felt elated at the news of the release, also commended those who worked tirelessly to make their release a reality. He also called for the overhauling of the security architecture to meet the demands of the threats currently facing us.
The former Vice President who took to his X account to express his joy, warned that we do not need to wait for the next incident before putting mechanisms in place to forestall futher occurence.
Atiku who said he can only imagine the trauma that these vulnerable children have suffered, however, recommended that the children receive psychotherapic care by professionals. Adding that like stage four cancer, this state of insecurity that has befallen our nation is metastasising and needs proactive measures to stem it.
His statement reads in full:
“I am elated at the news of the release of the 287 abducted school children in Kaduna after 16 days in captivity.
“I commend all those who worked tirelessly to make their release a reality.
“As we celebrate with their families and friends, let’s be mindful that, like stage four cancer, this state of insecurity that has befallen our nation is metastasising and needs proactive measures to stem it.
“I can only imagine the trauma that these vulnerable children have suffered. It is recommended that the children receive psychotherapic care by professionals.
“We also do not need to wait for the next incident before putting mechanisms in place to forestall it. To this end, I recommend the strengthening of the Safe School Initiative that prioritises the protection of schools, especially in the areas that are most vulnerable to mass kidnap of school children. But above all, there should be an overhaul of the security architecture to meet the demands of the threats facing us. -AA
Precise Post recalls that the Kaduna State Government early Sunday morning announced the release of the 287 schoolchildren kidnapped from Kuriga, Chikun Local Government Area, Kaduna State.
The announcement was contained in a statement personally signed by the state governor, Senator Uba Sani.
The statement partly read, “I wish to announce that our Kuriga school children have been released.
“Our special appreciation goes to our dear President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for prioritising the safety and security of Nigerians and particularly ensuring that the abducted Kuriga school children are released unharmed. While the school children were in captivity, I spoke with Mr. President several times. He shared our pains, comforted us, and worked round the clock with us to ensure the safe return of the children.”
The governor also appreciated the courage of the officers of the Nigerian Army for seeing to the successful release of the schoolchildren.
He said, “The Nigerian Army also deserves special commendation for showing that with courage, determination and commitment, criminal elements can be degraded and security restored in our communities.
“We also thank all Nigerians who prayed fervently for the safe return of the school children. This is indeed a day of joy. We give Almighty Allah all the glory.”
Precise Post further recalls that on March 7, 2024, the schoolchildren from LEA Primary School and Government Secondary School, Kuriga, were abducted by the hoodlums who took them into the forest.
The abductors demanded N1bn for their release while giving a deadline of March 27, 2024, for the payment of the ransom.
President Tinubu had last week stated categorically that he will not for any reason pay ransom to bandits and instructed the Service Chiefs to leave no stone unturned to rescue the abducted school children.
The report from Defence Headquarters has it that the Kaduna school children were resued in Zamfara State by joint team of soldiers and community vigilatees.
