In a heart-wrenching turn of events, a Nigerian mother is grappling with the guilt of sending her feverish daughter to school on the day of a mass abduction. The incident occurred in Nigeria’s northern Kaduna state, where gunmen kidnapped over 300 students.
Seven-year-old Safiya Kuriga was among those abducted. Despite feeling unwell that morning, her mother, Khadiya Kuriga, insisted she attend school1. Within two hours of her arrival, armed men stormed the school, abducting Safiya and hundreds of her schoolmates.
The mass abduction, the first since July 2021, has left parents and school authorities in a state of despair1. However, amidst the chaos, some students managed to escape. Thirteen-year-old Aminu Abdullahi recounted how he hid in the bush until the gunmen left.
President Bola Tinubu has directed security and intelligence agencies to rescue the children and ensure justice is served1. The rise in school kidnappings, initially carried out by jihadist group Boko Haram, has now been adopted by criminal gangs seeking ransom payments.
Despite the grim situation, there is a glimmer of hope. The resilience of the children, like Aminu and eight-year-old Ali, who managed to escape, is a testament to their courage. Their stories serve as a beacon of hope, reminding us that even in the face of adversity, the human spirit remains unbroken.
Source: BusinessDay
