March 7 was not just any other day in Kuriga, a community on the outskirts of Kaduna State. They had battled terror attacks in the past, but nothing quite like the one that stole their children from them that day.
The community’s residents saw it happen first, then the nation heard, and soon after it became international news: ‘Terrorists Abduct 138 Schoolchildren From Kuriga, Kaduna’.
For 17 days, the children and Abubakar Isah, their principal, remained in captivity until the Kaduna State Government announced their return. Isah died in captivity, however.
On a visit to the community, FIJ found that government neglect made the attack possible. Kuriga had no police stations, no military formations, no cell reception, and a poorly constructed school which allowed the terrorists ease of access.
When the children returned on March 24, the police pledged to mount checkpoints in the community and improve security. Community residents tell FIJ that for the past eight months, security has been better.
Meanwhile, what has become of the schoolchildren and their school?
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Residents of the community who spoke with FIJ between Monday and Saturday, said the children have remained at home since they returned from captivity.
They said the LEA School, Kuriga, has remained closed since the incident as the government was renovating it.

PHOTO CREDIT: Daniel Ojukwu/FIJ.
Attached above is an image of what the school looked like when FIJ visited on March 24. To the left of the image is a block of classrooms in dilapidated conditions and with no roof.
This block of classrooms now looks different, has a roof, and spots fences around it. There were no fences in March.

Umar Adamu, a teacher in the school, told FIJ the state government visited Kuriga in September to make promises of completing the renovation so the children can return to their classrooms.
When FIJ asked him what the children were doing in the interim, he said, “They are still learning, but at home. UNICEF is helping us.”
HOMESCHOOLING

Adamu told FIJ that after the children’s release, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) visited the community to support their learning.
He said the renovation efforts meant all students were affected, and a blanket aid was necessary.
“They [UNICEF] provided all the necessary materials; whiteboard, markers, books and more. They also employed some people to assist the teachers,” Adamu said.
“Both primary and secondary school children benefit. The lessons are done in groups of 10 to 15 students. We are divided into four clusters; Unguwan Sarki, Unguwan Hassan, Unguwan Unguwan Baraje and Unguwan Badaka.
“Each cluster has chairmen who oversee the teachers. They gather the children within their homes, then these children sit around a radio that teaches them. After the radio plays, it is the job of the teachers to explain the lecture so the students understand it.

Adamu and other residents say they look forward to the school’s reopening so they return to the classrooms and put the horror of March 7 behind them.
Although, they say they like the new approach they have adopted, they still would love to get back to the classrooms.
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