Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has promised free education to the freed 137 schoolchildren of the LEA Primary School and Government Secondary School.
Sani added that the school and the Kuriga community would be renovated, all under the Uba Sani Foundation.
The governor stated this while he addressed the children at the Government House, Kaduna, before their departure to Kuriga on Thursday.
Sani said that after the release of the children, the state government employed the services of psychologists who took them “through a lot of sessions with doctors and nurses, counselling and therapy.”
He noted that one of the kidnapped teachers identified as Mallam Abubakar lost his life due to some complications while in captivity.
On this, Sani said the state government would sponsor the children of the deceased teacher through school, adding that support of N10 million would also be given to his (Abubakar’s) family.
Sani said, “Yesterday, the parents came here, met the children, and everyone was happy. I would like to give credit to the children who have since been handed over to the Kaduna State Government. They were very patient with us. They also understand the situation they found themselves in.
“When they came back, we realised that some of their situations were serious mentally. That was why we decided to engage the services of psychologists, and they went through a lot of sessions with doctors and nurses, counselling and therapy. I am happy that all the children here are extremely happy and in high spirits.
“When we met two days ago, they told me they did not want to go back home and that they wanted to stay with me for the next two weeks. But I told them it was not possible and that they had to go home. Their parents are missing them after about 17 days since they last saw them.
“They will go home by the grace of God today. And I want to say here today that all the 137, like I promised them; will be my students by the grace of God. I have already directed the Uba Sani Foundation, which has been in existence for the past 16 years, delivering free education and healthcare to look after them.”
