Kaduna Governor Uba Sani has clarified that 137 schoolchildren, not 287 as widely reported, were abducted from Kuriga in the Chikun Local Government Area.
The schoolchildren were abducted from LEA Primary School and Government Secondary School, Kuriga, on Thursday, March 7.
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The Governor spoke during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.
Sani said all schoolchildren abducted by the bandits have been rescued by the military in collaboration with local authorities from neighbouring Zamfara State, where the hostages were moved by their kidnappers.
The Defence Headquarters on Saturday said 137 students were rescued, contrary to reports that 287 children were abducted by bandits.
The Governor said the number released by the military is the authentic figure, describing “287”, as a figment of some people’s imagination.
He said: “I don’t want to join issues with anyone in terms of numbers. What is more important to me is the safe return of the children.
“Today, I am happy that they are back safely, in high spirits, but those numbers were just figments of some people’s imagination.
“Today, I met with the families of the children and they confirmed to me that the numbers given by the military are the correct numbers.
“The “287” are works of propagandists.”