After 36 Days in Bandits’ Den, Abducted Kaduna Schoolchildren Finally Return Home

Six schoolchildren, their driver, and two other passengers who were abducted by suspected bandits along the Akwando–Kachia Road in Kaduna State have finally regained their freedom after spending 36 harrowing days in captivity.
The victims were kidnapped on April 26, 2026, when armed assailants attacked a vehicle conveying schoolchildren from Akwando village to Kachia, the headquarters of Kachia Local Government Area. Nine passengers were taken away during the attack, while a young girl was reportedly killed by the gunmen.
Confirming the development, the spokesman of the Kuturmi Unity Development Association (KUDA), Manasseh Samuel, disclosed that the victims arrived home on Sunday morning after trekking for about six hours through the bush following their release.
Samuel expressed appreciation to all individuals and groups whose support and prayers contributed to securing the victims’ freedom.
A former media aide to the late Kaduna State Governor, Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, Reuben Buhari, also confirmed the release in a Facebook post. According to him, the victims regained their freedom on Sunday and endured a six-hour trek through dense bush paths before reaching 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,” Buhari wrote.
He noted that the children suffered a traumatic ordeal and missed nearly an entire school term while in captivity but expressed gratitude that they returned safely to their families.