The Kaduna State governor, Uba Sani, on Thursday, handed over the released 137 rescued Kuriga schoolchildren to their parents.
DAILY POST recalls that bandits had abducted the Kuriga school children immediately after the assembly, held them captive in Zamfara for 16 days.
However, troops of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies rescued them and presented them to Governor Uba Sani on Monday, at the Kaduna Government House.
Governor Uba Sani later hosted them to dinner at the state house.
On Thursday, the governor handed them over to their parents accompanied by other security agencies.
He wrote on his verified Facebook page:
“Emotions were at their peak as I handed over our released Kuriga school children to their parents and bade them farewell.
“The children have been certified medically and psychologically fit to return to their families and resume school.
“The children who have gradually warmed up to me and adopted me as their father gave strong assurances that they will put the terrible experience behind them and focus on their studies.
“In appreciation of the courage and resilience of the children, and their firm determination to pursue their education despite the horrible experience, the Uba Sani Foundation will henceforth be responsible for their education up to tertiary level.
“The Kaduna State Government will compensate the family of the Head Teacher, Mal. Abubakar who died in captivity due to health complications with the sum of N10 million, while all his children have been awarded scholarships up to tertiary level.
“The LEA Primary and Secondary School, Kuriga, will be renovated, fenced and provided with adequate security to enable the children to resume classes.
“The Kuriga community will be provided with basic amenities. I have made a strong case to the Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Army Staff for the establishment of a military base in Kuriga to strengthen security in the area.”