Kidnapped Kaduna students return to parents as Sani donates N10m to family of late teacher

Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, yesterday, handed over the 137 kidnapped and rescued Kuriga school children to their parents amidst tight security.

He also announced the donation of N10 million to the family of the teacher who died in captivity due to health complications.

The governor promised that his government would be providing scholarships up to the university level to the children of the teacher, Mallam Abubakar.

Besides, one of the late teacher’s children, Isah Abubakar, who was also one of those kidnapped and rescued, witnessed his father’s death in the bandits’ den.

Sani, who returned from Abuja, yesterday, to bid the children farewell after three days of psychosocial therapy at the Kaduna Women and Children Shelter, also said that he would in his private capacity, under the auspices of Uba Sani Foundation, support the education of all the 137 pupils and students up to university level.

He said: “We saw the need to keep the children for this long because when they came on Sunday, it was observed that some of them needed some psychological support. So, we had to engage the service of psychologists and medical doctors to attend to them.

“Now, they have been given adequate psychosocial counselling and therapy. I am happy today that all the children are happy and they are in high spirits.

“Now, you are going back home to meet with your parents and other family members who are eager to see you. But I want to assure you that all of you remain my children.’’

“As a result of this, I will be using the Uba Sani Foundation, which has been in existence for the past 16 years, to look after the education of all 137 of you.

“Our government will also be carrying out a lot of rehabilitation works both in the Kuriga community and the school. I have already given a directive to that effect. This is because Kuriga community is one of the most peaceful communities in Kaduna State.

“Also, the Kaduna State Government has taken a collective decision to support the family of Malam Abubakar, the teacher who died in captivity, with N10 million. Also, because he has a very young family, the Kaduna State Government will be giving scholarships to his children until they finish secondary school and university.”

He assured the schoolchildren that he would be checking on them at Kuriga from time to time to monitor the progress of their education.

Some of the children expressed appreciation to the governor, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the security agencies for their rescue.