The Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has stated that no ransom was paid to free the pupils who were abducted from Kuriga village in Kaduna state. This information was disclosed by Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during Monday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The abducted Kuriga schoolchildren were taken from the Government Secondary and Primary Schools, Kuriga 1, Chikun LGA of the state, on March 7, 2024, and spent 17 days in captivity. Prior to their release, bandits who held them had threatened to execute the hostages if a ₦1 billion ransom was not paid within 20 days. Despite the threats, Tinubu had vowed not to pay any ransom to secure the return of the schoolchildren, although many believed the terrorists wouldn’t have freed their hostages without payment.
Addressing the controversy, Idris affirmed, “As promised by Mr. President, they have been rescued. No ransom was paid.” He commended President Tinubu, the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Service Chiefs, and all others who played a significant role in securing the kids’ release.
Idris also mentioned that President Tinubu has instructed security services to intensify their efforts to end the nationwide kidnapping crisis. He stated, “The President has also tasked security agencies with ensuring kidnappings come to a halt, and all perpetrators of kidnapping will be identified and punished.”
In the meantime, the schoolchildren have arrived at Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House around 2:09 p.m., transported in five buses from 1 Division Nigerian Army Headquarters in Kaduna, under tight security measures.
