The eight female students of Government Secondary School, Awon, Kachia Local Council of Kaduna State, who were kidnapped by terrorists on Monday April 3, 2023 on their way home from school, have escaped from their captors.
Confirming the development, yesterday, Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said the students, according to preliminary briefings, escaped from a thick forest around the Kaduna/Niger boundary.
The commissioner said the students walked for days before arriving at a location where they were harboured before the state government was alerted for immediate evacuation.
Aruwan said: “Governor Nasir el-Rufai, on receipt of the intelligence, directed the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs to liaise with the One Division of the Nigerian Army for urgent evacuation of the students to Kaduna Metropolis, as it was credibly gathered that the terrorists were combing forests in the area to recapture the students. The students have been safely evacuated to a military facility where they are receiving medical attention.”
The governor reportedly expressed delight over the development and praised the students for demonstrating sheer courage and resilience in making their escape from captivity.
He added: “The governor admonished them to view the horrific experience as a turning point, and pursue their education with renewed vigour for a purposeful future.”
He commended the General Officer Commanding (GOC), One Division, Maj-Gen. Olufemi Akinjobi, for the prompt evacuation and the ongoing medicals being conducted on the students.
