I welcome the release of the 137 school children of LEA primary and secondary school in Kuriga, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Abducted on March 7, 2024, and kept for 17 days in the bush, their release is heartwarming since some abductions in our societies end in fatalities.
I commend everybody involved in rescuing them, especially the security agencies for their patriotism. I commend the Governor of Kaduna State, His Excellency, Senator Uba Sani. He showed exemplary commitment, concern, and leadership when the incident happened. I also commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his determination and diligence in ensuring the school children regain their freedom.
It is pathetic that news of kidnappings in Nigeria no longer elicits any shock due to its frequency; only when a large number is involved. This is a sad reflection of our present situation.
So, the freedom for the Kuriga 137 buttresses the need for more federal, state, and local government collaborations in tackling this looming menace. The more it is left unattended, the more boldness and impunity the bandits would deploy in kidnapping vulnerable Nigerians.
Their freedom further highlights the fact that there are still more Nigerians in captivity in different states. Just two days ago, bandits attacked Gidan Zuma community in Bungudu local government area of Zamfara State and took away 20 people – mostly women and children. We have the 17 kidnapped in Goningora on 28 February, 2024; 61 taken from Buda community in Kajuru LGA; the 87 taken from Kajuru station, among other captives, scattered across different communities. These people are still in captivity and require urgent government attention to secure their freedom.
I urge the federal government, security agencies, and all concerned to do whatever it would take to bring home these captives. The government has the capacity to secure their freedom.
I also appeal to the federal government to hasten the implementation of the proposed School Safety Protection Squad under the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, to halt cases of abduction of schoolchildren from their schools. This, in addition to other measures and strategies, would reduce mass school abductions and make our schools safer for learning.
Once again, I congratulate the State and Federal Government on securing the release of the 137 school children of Kuriga.
Thank you.
Senator Sunday Marshall Katung, Kaduna South Senatorial District
27/03/2024
