FG: Ransom wasn’t paid to secure release of Kuriga schoolchildren

The federal government says no ransom was paid to secure the release of 137 schoolchildren abducted from the Kuriga community, Chikun LGA in Kaduna state.

Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, told State House correspondents in Abuja on Monday, that the federal government had vowed not to pay ransom to secure the release of abducted victims.

The minister commended the national security adviser (NSA) and service chiefs for the role they played in securing the release of the schoolchildren.

He said President Bola Tinubu has asked security agencies to intensify efforts to stop the menace of kidnapping across the country.

“As promised by Mr. President, they have been rescued. No ransom was paid,” Idris said.

“The president has also charged security agencies to make sure kidnappings are brought to a halt, and all the perpetrators of kidnapping will be fished out and punished.”

On March 7, the students were kidnapped by bandits who attacked their schools in the Kuriga community, Chikun LGA.

Sani Abdullahi, a teacher at the Government Secondary School Kuriga, had said 287 students were missing after the attack.

In the early hours of Sunday, Uba Sani, governor of Kaduna, announced the release of the schoolchildren.

Sani said all the 137 abducted students have been freed except the teacher who died in captivity.

The Kaduna governor said only 137 students were kidnapped in the school and not 287 as widely reported