By Gabriel Udeh, Kaduna
The high hope of reuniting the Afaka 27 students with their parents in Kaduna on Thursday was dashed due to alleged poor condition of their health.
All Parents of the students, on Thursday morning, assembled at the premises of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka, along with Journalists to received them.However, their hopes was dashed when they were later informed that the victims because of the poor condition of their health and were therefore receiving treatment at the police college hospital.
In an interview with a parent of the student, Mr Paul Bello Gana, who confirmed the story to our correspondent at the school premises said even though he has not seen his child but they spoke on phone through their colleague.
He said even though the bitter experienced he underwent over his child abduction might not be something to remembered, he expressed happiness and gratitude to God for their released. On whether any ransom was paid, the man who did not dismissed the possibility however said he only read some of the issues on social media.
Also, a release issued by the Afaka 27 parents forum and signed by its Chairman and Secretary, Malam Abdullahi Usman and Mrs Catherine Y. Saleh, stated that they’ve have met and reviewed one of the most important matters in their lives, which is the release of our children by the armed bandits.”What’s pertinent for us first and foremost is to effect an important correction on the number of the released students. “They are 27, not 29, as reported by some nations media. The total abducted students were 39, out of which 2 (two) escaped not long after abduction, 10 were released in 2 batches of 5 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. “Today, Thursday, 6th May, we will, by the grace God, we have received our children from the college authorities, after going through all necessary formalities.
“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 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 NUJ, Kaduna Chapel, Comrades Deji Adeyanju, Omoyele Sowore, Steven Kefas, and others too numerous to mention. Special thanks to The Ordinary President, Ahmed Isah of Berekete Radio/TV programme.”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”, it stated.
