Kaduna Abducted Schoolchildren Regain Freedom After 36 Days

Six schoolchildren, their driver and two other adults abducted by suspected bandits on the Akwando-Kachia Road in Kaduna State have regained freedom after spending 36 days in captivity.

Naija News understands that the victims were abducted on April 26, 2026, when suspected bandits attacked a vehicle conveying schoolchildren from Akwando village to Kachia, headquarters of Kachia Local Government Area.

A total of nine passengers were taken away during the attack, while a young girl reportedly died in the incident.

The spokesman of the Kuturmi Unity Development Association, Manasseh Samuel, confirmed the release of the victims.

He said they returned home on Sunday morning after trekking for several hours through the bush.

“The victims returned home on Sunday morning after trekking for about six hours through the bush,” Samuel said.

He expressed appreciation to groups and individuals who offered prayers and support towards securing their freedom.

A former media aide to the late Kaduna State governor, Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, Reuben Buhari, also confirmed the development in a Facebook post.

Buhari said the victims regained freedom on Sunday and arrived home the following morning.

“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,” he wrote.

He added, “Special gratitude to everyone for their prayers and contributions in different ways that led to their freedom.”

According to Buhari, the children endured a traumatic experience and lost almost an entire academic term while in captivity.

Buhari called for sustained prayers for other residents still being held by kidnappers. He specifically mentioned victims abducted from Awon and Ariko villages.

He said those kidnapped from Awon had spent 42 days in captivity, while those from Ariko had spent 57 days.