May 12, 2026

DHQ Reveals Details of Operation to Free Kuriga Schoolchildren

By Muhammad A. Aliyu

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has disclosed the successful rescue operation of abducted Kuriga school students, highlighting a coordinated effort between the military, local authorities, and government agencies.

In a statement released on Sunday in Abuja, Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, outlined the collaborative search and rescue mission that led to the liberation of the students abducted on March 7.

The rescue operation, conducted in the early hours of Sunday, resulted in the safe recovery of a total of 137 individuals, comprising 76 females and 61 males, in Zamfara State.

According to Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, the rescued individuals would be conveyed and handed over to the Kaduna State Government for further action and care.

The statement read: “Relatedly, it would be recalled that on March 21, troops equally rescued 16 pupils (Almajiris) with a woman taken hostage in Gada Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

“These hostages were handed over to the Sokoto State Government.

“These efforts demonstrate the armed forces resolve to finding other innocent hostages and track down the terrorists that perpetrated these crimes.

“These efforts would continue until other hostages are found and the terrorists  arrested, tried, and brought to justice by Nigerian law.

“Troops are employing similar effort to track down the culprits responsible for the killing of 18 soldiers in Okuama Community in Delta State.

“Justice await the culprits, as they can not go unpunished.”

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