Kaduna Schoolchildren Regain Freedom After Weeks in Captivity

In a welcome development, six schoolchildren who were abducted by suspected bandits on the Akwando-Kachia Road in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State have been released after spending 36 days in captivity. The children, their driver, and two other adults were kidnapped on April 26, 2026, when bandits attacked the vehicle conveying them from Akwando village to Kachia. Unfortunately, a young girl lost her life during the incident. The public relations officer of the Kuturmi Unity Development Association, Mr. Manasseh Samuel, confirmed that the victims returned home on Sunday morning, May 31, after trekking for about six hours through the bush. Mr. Reuben Buhari, a former media aide to the late Kaduna State governor, Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, also confirmed the development in a Facebook post, expressing gratitude to those who offered prayers and support towards securing the victims' release. The children's release comes as a relief, but it is also acknowledged that they endured a traumatic experience and lost almost an entire academic term while in captivity. In a separate incident, 11 people, including women and children, who were kidnapped in the Gadanaji community, also in Kachia LGA, were released after over 50 days in captivity. The Gadanaji attack occurred on April 9, 2026, when over 20 armed men stormed the community, shooting sporadically and throwing residents into panic. A member of the Gadanaji community, Freddo, confirmed their release in a Facebook post on Saturday, May 30. The release of the kidnapped victims has brought hope to the families of those still being held by kidnappers, particularly those abducted from Awon and Ariko villages, who have spent 42 and 57 days in captivity, respectively.