On 7 March 2024, more than 200 Nigerian school students were abducted from their educational institution in the north-western town of Kuriga [ceb], Chikun Local Government Area, Kaduna State. The event occurred while the pupils were gathered on the assembly ground around 08:30 (07:30 GMT). A group of dozens of gunmen riding motorcycles infiltrated the school premises.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

Kuriga Kidnapping
LocationKuriga, Kaduna State, Nigeria
Date7 March 2024
Around 08:30 (07:30 GMT)
TargetSchool students
Attack type
Mass abduction
WeaponsFirearms
DeathsNone reported
InjuredOne student injured (currently receiving medical attention)[citation needed]
VictimsMore than 200 Nigerian school students (ages 8–15) and a teacher[citation needed]
PerpetratorsUnknown gunmen on motorcycles
No. of participants
Dozens of gunmen
MotiveUnknown
The incident occurred during a school assembly when gunmen stormed the school grounds.[citation needed]

Government response

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According to governor Uba Sani, who visited the area soon after the attack,[7] 187 students from the Government Secondary School and 125 from the local primary school were reported missing. Since the kidnapping, however, 25 students have been returned.[citation needed]

The government is actively working to ensure the return of the remaining missing students. Security measures have been hightened and the regional government is collaborating with various stakeholders to address the situation. The focus is not only on resolving the immediate crisis but also on enhancing overall security for schools in the state.[8][9]

Release

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On 24 March 2024, Governor Uba Sani has confirmed that all 287 students have been freed and are now safe. He expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian Army for their support. However, the statement did not provide details about the actions taken to secure the students' release.[10][11][12]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Kuriga kidnap: More than 100 Nigerian pupils abducted". Yahoo News. 7 March 2024. Archived from the original on 7 March 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  2. ^ "BREAKING: Terrorists Abduct Scores Of Students, Teachers In Kaduna School, Police On Trail | Sahara Reporters". saharareporters.com. Archived from the original on 7 March 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  3. ^ "Dozens of pupils abducted by gunmen in Nigeria's northwest". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 7 March 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  4. ^ "At least 287 Nigerian students abducted from school by gunmen, say authorities". The Guardian. 7 March 2024. Archived from the original on 7 March 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  5. ^ "Gunmen in Nigeria Kidnap Dozens of Pupils From School, Parents Say". Voice of America. 7 March 2024. Archived from the original on 7 March 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  6. ^ Musa, Aisha (7 March 2024). "'Yan bindiga sun farmaki makarantar firamare a Kaduna, sun sace dalibai". Legit.ng – Nigeria news. (in Hausa). Archived from the original on 8 March 2024. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
  7. ^ "Gunmen Kidnap 227 Pupils from School in Nigeria". 7 March 2024. Archived from the original on 7 March 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  8. ^ "Kuriga kidnap: More than 280 Nigerian pupils abducted". 7 March 2024. Archived from the original on 7 March 2024. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
  9. ^ Isenyo, Godwin (8 March 2024). "Outrage as bandits kidnap 280 pupils from Kaduna schools". Punch Newspapers. Archived from the original on 8 March 2024. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
  10. ^ "Kuriga kidnap: More than 280 Nigerian pupils released". BBC News. 24 March 2024. Archived from the original on 25 March 2024. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  11. ^ "An sako ɗaliban Kuriga da Ƴanbindiga suka sace a Kaduna". BBC News Hausa (in Hausa). 24 March 2024. Archived from the original on 27 March 2024. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  12. ^ Nwachukwu, John Owen (24 March 2024). "287 abducted Kaduna schoolchildren released". Daily Post Nigeria. Archived from the original on 27 March 2024. Retrieved 24 March 2024.