Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State clarified on a national television program that 137, not 287, schoolchildren were abducted from Kuriga in the Chikun Local Government Area. He stated that all the abducted children were rescued by the military in collaboration with local authorities from neighbouring Zamfara State, where the kidnappers had taken them.
Sani emphasized that the figure of 287 was inaccurate and a product of misinformation. He stressed the importance of the safe return of the children and expressed relief that they were back safely and in high spirits.
The governor met with the families of the children, who confirmed that the number given by the military was correct. He described the claim of 287 abductions as the work of propagandists and expressed regret that a teacher who was kidnapped alongside the pupils did not survive due to complications while in captivity.
Sani also clarified that Kaduna-based cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi was not involved in the rescue operation, despite offering to negotiate with the bandits. He commiserated with the family of the deceased teacher and consoled the families of the released schoolchildren.
