Patience Robinson
After 36 Days in captivity, six schoolchildren, their driver and two others abducted by suspected bandits on the Akwando-Kachia Road in Kaduna State have been released.
This was confirmed by the public relations officer of the Kuturmi Unity Development Association (KUDA), Mr Manasseh Samuel, who shared that, the victims returned home on Sunday morning after a six hours walk through the bush.
He expressed gratitude to all groups and individuals who offered prayers and support for the release of the victims.
It could be recalled that the victims were abducted on 26 April 2026, when suspected bandits attacked a vehicle conveying schoolchildren from Akwando village to Kachia, the headquarters of Kachia Local Government Area; nine passengers were abducted during the attack, while a young girl reportedly died during the incident.
Similarly, Mr Reuben Buhari, a former media aide to the late Kaduna State governor, Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, confirmed the news of the release in a Facebook post.
“Thirty-six days after they were kidnapped while on their way to school in Kachia from Akwando village, six schoolchildren, the driver of the vehicle and two other adults regained their freedom yesterday and got home this morning after trekking for six hours in the bush.
“Special gratitude to everyone for their prayers and contributions in different ways that led to their freedom,” he wrote.
Buhari disclosed that, the children endured a traumatic experience and lost almost an entire academic term while in captivity.
“These children are traumatised and missed almost a whole academic term, yet we are all grateful they are alive,” he said.
He used the medium to appeal for sustained prayers for other residents still being held by kidnappers, particularly those abducted from Awon and Ariko villages.
“Let us continue to pray for those kidnapped from Awon village, who have spent 42 days, and from Ariko village, 57 days today. May June be the month of freedom for all remaining captives,” he prayed.
