The rescued Kuriga Students have been united with their families at a reception at Katuru Road in the State Capital, by the Kaduna State Government.
The rescued students and their families expressed gratitude to the governor for giving their quest for freedom relentless attention and effort.
Represented at the event by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Abdulkadir Meyere, Governor Uba Sani expressed the administration’s determination to ensure the freed pupils study up to university and urged the parents to remain steadfast in prayers for their children’s safety.
Idris Abdullahi ( Madakin Kuriga), the representative of the Kuriga community, expressed gratitude to the Governor of the State for “giving his all, to freeing our children and consistently consoling us in moments of tensions, until formal handing over of our children”.
He also hailed the government for paying sufficient attention to the royal fathers of the community through continued strategic meetings and a series of needed support, including palliatives and prayed that the Kuriga kidnapped students should be the last of such a very tragic incident.
He also extended gratitude to Governor Uba Sani, for not resting until their children breathed the air of freedom and commended his steadfastness and the cooperation of President Bola Tinubu, the NSA – Malam Nuhu Ribadu, the Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Musa and other service chiefs for their professional execution towards ensuring the release of the children.
The Commissioner for Social Welfare, Hajiya Rabi Salisu, on her part, expressed joy over the release of the pupils and noted that Governor Uba Sani’s wish to take the freed pupils to Aso Rock Villa shortly would be great.
Representative of the male students, Suleman Lawal, said it was with utmost joy that they recall the efforts of the President, service chiefs and the governor for their release.
On her part, a representative of the female students, Aisha Muhammad, expressed happiness with the fatherly role the government officials played tirelessly to ensure they returned home unharmed.
The handing over of the 137 students to their parents by the State government came about 48 hours after the psycho-social process as directed by Governor Uba Sani, to determine the risk of trauma and physical health challenges, if any, amongst the freed victims ahead of the handover.
They were also hosted to a special Ramadan dinner at the Government House, Kaduna, ahead of the formal reunification with their parents.
The SSG was also joined by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Malam Sani Liman Kila, and commissioners of Internal Security and Human Services, Samuel Aruwan, and Hajiya Rabi Salisu among others.