Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has said only 137 and not 287 schoolchildren were abducted in Kuriga, Chikun Local Government Area of the state.
Sani clarified while featuring on Channels Television’s programme, Sunday Politics.
He said all the schoolchildren abducted by marauding bandits have been rescued by the military in collaboration with local authorities from neighbouring Zamfara State.
The schoolchildren were abducted from LEA Primary School and Government Secondary School, Kuriga, about four weeks ago.
The Defence Headquarters said on Saturday that a total of 137 students were rescued, contrary to reports that 287 children were abducted by bandits on March 6.
The relieved governor said the number released by the military is the authentic figure, describing “287” as a figment of some people’s imagination.
Sani, however, regretted that a teacher who was kidnapped alongside the pupils couldn’t make it out alive as he developed some complications while in captivity.
He commiserated with the family of the deceased teacher and consoled the families of the released schoolchildren.
Number of Kuriga schoolchildren kidnapped 137 — Kaduna Gov clarifies