Following the release of at least 137 school children who were kidnapped by armed gunmen in Nigeria earlier this month in Kaduna State on Sunday, Northern Elders have risen to express their lack of faith in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
On March 7, more than 300 students were abducted by armed bandits on motorcycles who stormed the LEA Primary and Secondary School in Kuriga village, in Kaduna’s Chikun district, state police told CNN at the time.
In the interview broadcast on Nigeria’s Channels Television, the governor of Kaduna State said he had met with the children’s families.
“I am happy, the families are happy, we are all happy the children have been rescued,” he told the broadcaster.
However, Sani said that a teacher had died after developing “some complications” while in captivity without providing further detail.
But according to Sani, all the children who were kidnapped in the incident have now been released. He dismissed earlier reports of a greater number of missing children as “a figment of people’s imagination.”
Kaduna state, which borders the Nigerian capital Abuja to the southwest, has grappled with recurring incidents of kidnappings for ransom by bandits and has witnessed several mass abductions in recent years.
In an earlier post on X, Sani was seen addressing dozens of children and wrote that he was “glad to see our released children in high spirits on Sunday evening.”
He wrote that they would continue to “undergo psychosocial counselling” and receive “proper medical supervision.”
While jubilations permeate the entirety of Kaduna, the Northern Elders Forum on Sunday came hard on President Bola Tinubu, saying the growing insecurity across the country indicated that the present government has failed to protect Nigerians just a few months in office.
While declaring that enough is enough, the elders said the Kuriga school children abduction is another tragic incident that highlights the growing need for improved security measures. Spokesperson of the forum, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, in a statement on Sunday, said. However, the forum welcomed the abducted children back with open arms. There is a need to emphasize the urgent need for proper medical and shock checks as they reintegrate into society. The elders said: “The Northern Elders Forum firmly declares that enough is enough. The safety and security of our children should never be compromised or subject to negotiation. It is unacceptable for Nigerians, particularly those in the northern region, to continue living under such insecure conditions.
“Unfortunately, just months into the Tinubu administration, there have already been clear signs of failure in providing the vital aspects of security of life and property to citizens. This situation is deeply concerning and requires immediate attention from our leaders. While we celebrate the return of the abducted Kuriga school children, we must also recognize this event as a wake-up call for all of us. We cannot afford to become complacent in the face of such acts of violence and disregard for human life. As elders, it is our duty to protect and nurture the next generation. The forum urged the government and relevant authorities to work closely with us to ensure that “our children can go to school without fear.”
It added: “The safety and well-being of our children must always be a top priority. We also call for accountability and swift action from our leaders to address the security challenges our communities are facing. The return of the Kuriga school children stands as a testament to the resilience and strength of our community. Let us use this moment to unite and actively work towards safer conditions for our children and our communities.”
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