I’ve released 137 rescued Kuriga pupils to parents – Gov Uba Sani

• He disclosed that the school would under go reconstruction that would fortified it against future attacks

The Kaduna State governor, Uba Sani, says the released 137 rescued Kuriga schoolchildren have been reunited with their parents.

Recall that bandits had kidnapped the Kuriga school children on March 7 held them captive in Zamfara for 16 days.

However, troops of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies rescued them and presented them to Governor Uba Sani on Monday, at the Kaduna Government House.

On Thursday, the governor announced that he had handed them over the kids to their parents accompanied by other security agencies.

In a post on his official Facebook page, he stated that the release of the children to their parents followed the completion of the medication examination they underwent.

“Emotions were at their peak as I handed over our released Kuriga school children to their parents and bade them farewell.

“The children have been certified medically and psychologically fit to return to their families and resume school.

“The children who have gradually warmed up to me and adopted me as their father gave strong assurances that they will put the terrible experience behind them and focus on their studies.

“In appreciation of the courage and resilience of the children, and their firm determination to pursue their education despite the horrible experience, the Uba Sani Foundation will henceforth be responsible for their education up to tertiary level”

While stating that the family of one of the teachers who died in captivity would be handsomely compensated, he disclosed that the school would undergo reconstruction that would fortity it against future attacks.

“The Kaduna State Government will compensate the family of the Head Teacher, Mal. Abubakar who died in captivity due to health complications with the sum of N10 million, while all his children have been awarded scholarships up to tertiary level.

“The LEA Primary and Secondary School, Kuriga, will be renovated, fenced and provided with adequate security to enable the children to resume classes.

“The Kuriga community will be provided with basic amenities. I have made a strong case to the Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Army Staff for the establishment of a military base in Kuriga to strengthen security in the area.”