Gunmen stormed LEA Primary School, Kuriga, in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State around 8:30 am on Thursday, abducting at least 287 Nigerian pupils.
Witnesses reported that several individuals, including the head teacher and some staff members, were abducted by gunmen who arrived after the school assembly. Estimates suggest the number of abductees could be up to 100.
The junior and secondary school relocated to the school building inside the Kuriga town a few years ago due to insecurity concerns, abandoning their former school building located outside the town.
The kidnapped victims were said to have been marched through the forest as the abductors tried to escape.
Overseeing Commissioner of the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan is yet to respond to inquiries and there is no official statement from the State Police Command yet.
“We will ensure that every child will come back. We are working with the security agencies,” Governor Uba Sani told the villagers on Thursday.
In January 2024, Mallam Idris Abu Sufyan, Principal of Government Secondary School Kuriga was killed by armed assailants when he tried to resist abduction. However, they kidnapped two women in the process.
