April 18, (THEWILL) – At least eight female students of Government Secondary School, Awon, in Kachia local government area of Kaduna State, have escaped after they were abducted by suspected bandits.
The students were kidnapped on Monday, April 3, 2023, in Awon, Kachia LGA of Kaduna State.
The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, in a statement on Tuesday, said the students escaped from a thick forest around the Kaduna-Niger interstate boundaries.
Aruwan said they walked for days before arriving at an undisclosed location, where they were harboured.
The statement added that the Kaduna State Government was contacted for the immediate evacuation of the students.
Aruwan said Governor Nasir El-Rufai, on receipt of the intelligence, directed the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs to liaise with the 1 Division, Nigerian Army for the urgent evacuation of the students to the 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 presently receiving medical attention.”
Meanwhile, Governor El-Rufai has expressed “his delight over the development and has praised the students for demonstrating sheer courage and resilience in making their escape from captivity.
“The governor admonished them to view the horrific experience as a turning point and pursue their education with renewed vigour for a purposeful future.
“El-Rufai also commended the General Officer Commanding, 1 Division, Major General OT Akinjobi for the prompt evacuation and the ongoing medicals being conducted on the students.”
