The eight female students of Government Secondary School, Awon, Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna state have escaped from captivity.
The students were abducted by terrorists on Monday, April 3, 2023.
In a statement on Monday, Samuel Aruwan, Commissioner for Internal security and Home Affairs, said the students escaped from a thick forest bordering Kaduna and Niger states.
He said the students trekked for days and arrived at an undisclosed location where they hid.
Aruwan said intelligence sources subsequently alerted the state government for immediate evacuation.
He said upon receiving the intelligence report, Governor Nasir El-Rufai, directed the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, to liaise with the 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Kaduna, for urgent evacuation of the students to Kaduna Metropolis, as it was credibly gathered that the terrorists were combing the forests to recapture them.
“The students, according to preliminary briefings, escaped from a thick forest around the Kaduna – Niger interstate boundaries, and walked for days before arriving at a location (kept undisclosed for security reasons) where they were harboured”, the statement reads.
“Human intelligence sources subsequently alerted the Kaduna State Government for immediate evacuation.
“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 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 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.
“The Governor also commended the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 1 Division, Major General OT Akinjobi for the prompt evacuation and the ongoing medicals being conducted on the students.”
