Parents of 27 released Kaduna students appeal to FG to rehabilitate their children

Parents of the 27 released students of Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka, Kaduna has appealed to the Federal Government to help in the rehabilitation of their children so that they can resume a normal life and complete their education. 

This was contained in a statement issued by the chairman of the forum and Secretary, Abdullahi Usman and Catherine Saleh in Kaduna on Thursday. 

The statement said, “The journey is not yet over because our children will definitely require rehabilitation to overcome the trauma that accompanies such ugly experiences. 

“We, therefore, call the Minister of Environment, the managements of FRIN and the College of Forestry Mechanisation to ensure that all the students are well rehabilitated so that they may get back to normal life again and continue with their education.”

Also, the statement noted that “it is pertinent for us to effect an important correction on the number of the released students.

“They are 27, not 29, as reported by some of the nation’s media. The total abducted students were 39, out of which 2 (two) escaped not long after the abduction; 10 were released in  two batches of five each, leaving the remaining 27 who were released yesterday, Wednesday 5th May, 2021, 56 days after their abduction.

“We, as parents, made several efforts to secure the release of the students. We even took our peaceful march to the National Assembly on Tuesday, 4th May, 2021, presented our plight and prayed for the intervention of the lawmakers in securing the release of our children. 

“We are grateful that we did not leave any stone unturned on the path to where we have arrived today. 

“The 27 released students were received at a location in Kidanda, Giwa Local Government, and conveyed to Kaduna. 

“On arrival in Kaduna, they were taken to the Police College Clinic for medical checkup.” 

To this end, the statement disclosed that, “We extend profound gratitude to all Nigerians and lovers of humanity at home and abroad who showed up and showed out in solidarity as we went through the dark horrendous period of waiting and hoping for the return of our children. 

“We are unable to thank nearly enough everyone who stood by us and for the sacrifices, you made in your various capacities financially, morally, spiritually and otherwise. 

“We most especially register our immense gratitude to former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, and Abubakar Abdulsalami, Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Mahmud Gumi, and the Provost of the College, Dr Usman, for the various roles they played in securing the release of our children. 

“We appreciate immensely the students and staff of the Institution for their relentless solidarity. 

“We thank Barr Gloria Mabeiam Ballason and the House of Justice crew, Channels TV, BBC, DW Radio, the all members NUJ, Kaduna Council, Comrades Deji Adeyanju, Omoyele Sowore,  Steven Kefas, Barrister Abubakar Marshall and others too numerous to mention. Special thanks to The Ordinary President, Ahmed Isah of Berekete Radio/TV programme.

“We pray for the repose of the soul of Malam Ibrahim, one of the parents of the abducted students, who died as a result of the trauma that resulted from the abduction of his daughter. 

“We also pray for the souls of the 5 Greenfield University students who were killed by their abductors and ask God to grant the remaining students speedy release because we understand what the parents are passing through. 

“We call on government to get more serious and aggressively pursue safe schooling as a pertinent agenda so as to give parents the confidence to send their children to school because if the schools remain as security porous as they now are, many may not find it worth the trouble to enrol their children in schools anymore.” 

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