Over 100 School Children Kidnapped by Armed Bandits in Nigeria’s Kuriga Town
In a shocking incident that has sent shockwaves across Nigeria, armed bandits have kidnapped over 100 school children in Kuriga, a town located in the north-western part of the country. The incident took place at the LEA Primary School in Kuriga town, Kaduna state, on Thursday morning, leaving the community in a state of fear and anguish.
Eyewitnesses reported that the armed bandits stormed into the school premises at around 8 a.m., shortly after the morning assembly. With no warning, they seized scores of pupils and forcibly marched them into the nearby forest. The headmaster of the school and several other staff members were also among the victims, adding to the gravity of the situation.
Senator Uba Sani, the Governor of Kaduna State, expressed his sorrow and concern over the incident. In a heartfelt post on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), he wrote, “With pain in my heart, I visited Kuriga, Chikun Local Government, where bandits kidnapped primary and secondary school pupils and students. Proactive measures need to be taken to safeguard our schools against terrorists.”
According to residents who witnessed the horrifying event, most of the pupils managed to escape by running out of their classrooms as soon as they spotted the armed bandits on the school premises. The gunmen arrived at the school grounds on motorcycles, indicating a well-planned operation.
This mass abduction is just one in a series of similar incidents that have plagued schools in northern Nigeria. The recurring nature of these abductions has become a growing concern for the country. As of now, no group has claimed responsibility for this particular mass abduction.
The memory of the infamous 2014 kidnapping of over 200 schoolgirls in Borno State’s Chibok village by Boko Haram militants still haunts many Nigerians. While some of the Chibok schoolgirls have been rescued or released, dozens still remain in captivity. The hope of reuniting with their loved ones keeps the parents of these girls anxiously waiting for their return.
The International Centre for Counterterrorism has highlighted the alarming trend of women and children becoming victims of kidnappings and forced abductions. This disturbing pattern emphasizes the urgent need for effective measures to ensure the safety and security of schools and educational institutions.
Senator Uba Sani, in response to the incident, has pledged to do everything in his power to rescue all the abducted students. Government officials are working closely with the school’s management to ascertain the exact number of missing students and ensure their safe return.
In a statement, Senator Sani stressed the importance of establishing state police to prevent such incidents in the future. He believes that having a dedicated police force in Kuriga, consisting of community members who understand the local terrain and issues, would be instrumental in gathering intelligence and responding swiftly to threats. Additionally, this police force would be constitutionally empowered to bear arms, including sophisticated weapons, unlike vigilante groups who are not allowed to carry arms.
As Nigeria grapples with this distressing incident, the nation stands united in demanding justice for the kidnapped school children. The government must take immediate action to strengthen security measures and protect educational institutions from the clutches of terrorists. The safety and well-being of Nigeria’s children should be a top priority, and every effort must be made to ensure their swift and safe return to their families.