In a bid to secure the release of the abducted pupils and teachers from Government Secondary School and LEA Primary School in Kuriga 1, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, the government has commenced negotiations with the perpetrators. A reliable source close to the negotiations, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to security concerns, revealed that a private negotiator, known for successful engagements with bandits in the past, is facilitating the talks.
The pupils and staff were abducted when armed bandits attacked LEA Primary School in Kuriga on Thursday, shortly after the morning assembly. The private negotiator, an influential figure in previous abduction cases, has been enlisted to work towards the safe release of the victims.
Governor Uba Sani, who visited the school shortly after the incident, assured the community that efforts were underway to ensure the safe return of the abducted pupils and staff. Security agencies have cordoned off the area, conducting searches and combing nearby forests to locate the victims.
Despite the ongoing negotiations, the government is also deploying military resources to find the kidnapped children and restore safety to the affected community. Parents of the abducted pupils expressed deep distress, with one father pleading for the governor to fulfill his promise of a safe return for the children.
The situation remains tense, and an emergency security meeting was reportedly convened by the governor to address the escalating crisis. The police spokesperson, ASP Mansir Hassan, confirmed the security meeting, promising to provide further details later.
As the nation grapples with the increasing incidents of kidnappings, particularly in schools, concerns are growing about the effectiveness of security measures. The international community, including organizations like UNICEF and Amnesty International, has condemned the recurring abductions, calling for immediate action to ensure the safety of citizens and the protection of educational institutions.