Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has promised free education to the freed 137 schoolchildren of the LEA Primary School and Government Secondary School who were abducted in Kaduna and reportedly rescued from Zamfara by the military.
Sani added that the school and the Kuriga community would be renovated, all under the Uba Sani Foundation.
The governor stated this while he addressed the children at Government House, Kaduna, before their departure to Kuriga on Thursday.
Sani said that after the release of the children, the state government employed the services of psychologists who took them “through a lot of sessions with doctors and nurses, counselling and therapy.”
He noted that one of the kidnapped teachers identified as Mallam Abubakar lost his life due to some complications while in captivity.
On this, Sani said the state government would sponsor the children of the deceased teacher through school, adding that support of N10 million would also be given to his (Abubakar’s) family.
Sani said, “Yesterday, the parents came here, met the children, and everyone was happy. I would like to give credit to the children who have since been handed over to the Kaduna State Government. They were very patient with us. They also understand the situation they found themselves in.
“When they came back, we realised that some of their situations were serious mentally. That was why we decided to engage the services of psychologists, and they went through a lot of sessions with doctors and nurses, counselling and therapy. I am happy that all the children here are extremely happy and in high spirits.
“When we met two days ago, they told me they did not want to go back home and that they wanted to stay with me for the next two weeks. But I told them it was not possible and that they had to go home. Their parents are missing them after about 17 days since they last saw them.
“They will go home by the grace of God today. And I want to say here today that all the 137, like I promised them; will be my students by the grace of God. I have already directed the Uba Sani Foundation, which has been in existence for the past 16 years, delivering free education and healthcare to look after them.”
The governor added, “I have also directed that a lot of renovations be put in place in the community and the schools because to me, Kuriga community is one of the most peaceful communities in Kaduna State.
“All the children are back safely, but we lost only one teacher, and may his soul rest in peace. Mallam Abubakar was a good man, and his children missed him. We all miss him. He was one of the most resourceful teachers in the school, but we lost him.
“The Kaduna State Government will be supporting the children of Mallam Abubakar through school. We will also be supporting the family with N10m because of what they went through. Mallam Abubakar died due to some medical conditions he had. May his soul rest in peace.”
While there were claims that the rescue of the children were not without payment of ransom, the Federal Government, on Monday, said no ransom was paid for the release of the pupils.
“In keeping with the commitment of Mr. President, no ransom was paid,” the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, told journalists after the Federal Executive Council meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
On March 7, 2024, the schoolchildren were abducted by hoodlums who took them into the forest.
Afterwards, the abductors demanded N1bn for their release while giving a deadline of March 27, 2024, for the payment of the ransom.
On Sunday, March 24, the Defence Headquarters narrated how the pupils were rescued by the military in collaboration with local authorities from neighbouring Zamfara State.
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