A prominent Nigerian analyst and human rights lawyer, Bulama Bukarti, has said that the circumstances leading to the release of the abducted Kuriga schoolchildren in Kaduna State remain unclear.
Bukarti suggested that Nigerians deserve to know how the children who were abducted on March 7 from their school in Kuriga were released.
The security expert gave this view on Wednesday while fielding questions on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
He said the government needs to explain to Nigerians circumstances around the release of the Kuriga schoolchildren to quell rumours.
“I have been investigating the circumstances of their release and whether anyone was arrested and what were the terms of the release or how were they rescued if they were rescued, I did not find any information to that effect.
“As Nigerians, we have the right to know how our government is proceeding with securing us, how our government is using our resources and how our government is dealing with criminal elements or terrorists elements among us.
“We have the right to know by law but we also have the right to know as Nigerians so that we may have confidence in our country,” he said.
Sources revealed that the schoolchildren numbering 137 were kidnapped from their school by bandits on March 7, but were rescued in Zamfara State by the military and local authorities two weeks after their abduction.
Kaduna State governor, Uba Sani, who announced their release did not explain how they were rescued, giving room to rumours that ransom was paid for their release.
The Federal Government also dispelled the rumour, saying no ransom was paid.
The Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, said the victims were rescued through the concerted efforts of the security agencies in the country.
