Nigeria: Army Rescues Abducted Students
In an operation on Sunday, the Nigerian military rescued students and staff from a school in Kuriga, in the northwestern Kaduna state, who had been kidnapped by a terrorist group earlier this month, just before the ransom payment of 1B naira ($690K) deadline.
Facts
- In an operation on Sunday, the Nigerian military rescued students and staff from a school in Kuriga, in the northwestern Kaduna state, who had been kidnapped by a terrorist group earlier this month, just before the ransom payment of 1B naira ($690K) deadline.1
- The operation in the neighboring state of Zamfara resulted in the release of 137 captives. According to the military spokesperson, 76 female and 61 male hostages were released. The gunmen initially captured 287 staff members and students.2
- According to a security source, the abducted students were located in a jungle 200 km (124 mi) away when they were rescued. Following medical treatment, they will be reunited with their families.3
- Uba Sani, governor of Kaduna State, stated, "The abducted Kuriga schoolchildren are released unharmed." According to press reports, the children were between eight and fifteen. Sani expressed gratitude to the troops, stating, "This is indeed a day of joy."4
- Mass kidnappings have escalated across Nigeria's northern regions, ever since the Jihadist group Boko Haram kidnapped 276 students from a girl's school in 2014, according to Human Rights Watch.5
- Kidnapping students and demanding ransoms has become a popular method for criminal gangs. Such kidnappings compel families and towns to sell grain, livestock, and land to get the money necessary to pay a ransom for the children's release.6
Sources: 1Reuters, 2Sky News, 3CBC, 4VOA, 5UPI and 6The Guardian.
Narratives
- Narrative A, as provided by VOA. The military's successful rescue operation and the release of hostages are wonderful news. Experts believe the economic crisis is fueling the surge in school attacks and abductions as an increasing number of Nigerians resort to criminal activity as a means of livelihood. Nigeria has pledged to tighten up security and bring all abducted school children back to their families.
- Narrative B, as provided by CBS. Nigeria's Northwestern Kaduna State has suffered four school abductions in the last four years. The central government does not control its territory, and hundreds of thousands of internally displaced people (IDP) live in government camps under appalling circumstances. It's good news that the military was able to bring these children home. However, there are still many more missing. The government is responsible for ensuring that all children can come back home.
