No Sign of Abducted Kaduna Schoolchildren and Staff Two Weeks After Incident
Today marks two weeks since the abduction, and despite assurances from President Bola Tinubu and Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, to secure the safe release of the captives, no progress has been reported.
AKACHI NOEL 
Armed bandits attacked LEA Primary School and Government Secondary School in Kuriga, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, kidnapping hundreds of learners and staff members. The incident occurred on Thursday, March 7, with the abductees totaling 287, including pupils, secondary school students, and undisclosed staff members.
Today marks two weeks since the abduction, and despite assurances from President Bola Tinubu and Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, to secure the safe release of the captives, no progress has been reported.
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Following the attack, the secondary school was relocated to the primary school due to insecurity concerns. According to a teacher at GSS Kuriga, 187 students are presently missing, while in the primary school, 125 pupils were initially missing, with 25 later escaping.Residents recounted the chaos during the attack, with pupils running in different directions to seek safety as the bandits opened fire.
The whereabouts of the school's head teacher and other staff members remain unknown, with reports of casualties, including a pupil who sustained gunshot wounds and later died in hospital, as well as a member of the community's vigilante who lost his life during the pursuit of the bandits.
Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, assured the community of the safe return of the abducted children during his visit to the scene. However, criticism has mounted from various quarters, including concerned organizations and parents, condemning the abduction and calling for urgent action.
Five days after the abduction, the bandits demanded a ransom of N1 billion and issued a 20-day ultimatum for payment. Despite this, the Federal Government has reiterated its stance against paying ransom for the release of hostages.
The abduction has raised concerns about the security situation in the region, with banditry activities continuing unabated despite government efforts to clamp down on criminal elements. In a separate incident in Sokoto State, bandits abducted 15 pupils from an Islamiya school.
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Efforts are ongoing by security forces to rescue the abducted schoolchildren and staff, with stakeholders emphasizing the need for collective action to address the root causes of insecurity and ensure the safety of citizens.
