Leading opposition figures, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi have celebrated the release of the 287 schoolchildren kidnapped from Kuriga, Chikun Local Government Area, Kaduna State.
The state governor, Senator Uba Sani, confirmed the release of the children in a Sunday statement.
The governor thanked President Bola Tinubu for prioritising the safety and security of Nigerians and particularly ensuring that the abducted Kuriga school children were released unharmed.
Reacting, Atiku said, “I am elated at the news of the release of the 287 abducted school children in Kaduna after 16 days in captivity.
“I commend all those who worked tirelessly to make their release a reality.
“As we celebrate with their families and friends, let’s be mindful that, like stage four cancer, this state of insecurity that has befallen our nation is metastasising and needs proactive measures to stem it.
“I can only imagine the trauma that these vulnerable children have suffered. It is recommended that the children receive psychotherapic care by professionals.
“We also do not need to wait for the next incident before putting mechanisms in place to forestall it.
“To this end, I recommend the strengthening of the Safe School Initiative that prioritises the protection of schools, especially in the areas that are most vulnerable to mass kidnap of school children.
“But above all, there should be an overhaul of the security architecture to meet the demands of the threats facing us.”
Read Also: FULL LIST: How six cops were slain in Delta operation – Police
Obi said, “It is comforting to hear that 287 school children abducted in Kaduna have been released. It is hard to imagine the mental pain and trauma the children must have gone through in the hands of their abductors.
“The report of their release is however reassuring to the nation and their parents. I thank the government, the security agencies, and all those who made immense efforts to see that our children are released from captivity and reunited with their families.
“Efforts should also be made, not just to release many of our people in the different kidnappers dens across the country, but to end the scourge of insecurity completely.
“We must ensure that every Nigerian is safe in Nigeria, by not giving terrorists any operating space in our nation. No Nigerian should ever be a captive or hostage anywhere in his fatherland.”