Seventeen students, who were kidnapped from a Tsangaya school in Gidan Baya, Gada Local Government Area of Sokoto State, have been freed. The students were taken on March 9 while they were studying the Qur’an and Islamic teachings.
The Sokoto State government announced on Saturday that the Nigerian Army, in partnership with the Office of the National Security Adviser, had successfully rescued the children. There was no mention of a ransom being paid.
Abubakar Bawa, the spokesperson for the governor, stated, “The Nigerian Army and the Office of the National Security Adviser have worked together to rescue the 17 Tsangaya students who were kidnapped by bandits in Gada Local Government approximately two weeks ago. The military presented the 17 rescued children and a woman to the Sokoto State Governor, Dr Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto.”
During a brief ceremony to welcome the rescued victims, Governor Ahmed Aliyu praised the military and the Office of the National Security Adviser for their successful rescue operation. He also mentioned that all the rescued children had undergone medical checks to determine their health status.
“All the children are in good health and are prepared to be reunited with their families,” he added.
The governor also announced that he would be giving two bags of grains and N100,000 to each of the rescued victims.
Bawa quoted the governor in the statement, saying, “I urge the people of the state to continue supporting the current administration in its efforts to fully secure the state.”
