FG says no ransom was paid to secure release of 137 abducted from Kuriga community on 7 March

The Federal Government disclosed at the FEC meeting on Monday, 25 March that zero ransom was paid to the kidnappers of 137 schoolchildren, tutors, and a principal from Kuriga in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State. All the 137 kidnapped schoolchildren from Kuriga were released on Sunday, 24 March while the 17 Islamic school pupils kidnapped in Sokoto were released on Saturday, 23 March. Speaking with newsmen yesterday in Abuja at the end of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said, “Mr President and members of Council were happy to note that, as promised by Mr President, these children were reunited or have been rescued from the captors and as usual and in keeping with the commitment of Mr President, no ransom was paid.” The minister also re-expressed the President, and FEC members’ appreciation to the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Security Chiefs, and others who participated in the process that led to the reelease of the abductees.