Aminu Masari, the governor of Kastina state on Thursday night confirmed the release of the abducted students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara.
Masari revealed that the boys were at Tsafe, Zamfara State, and would be transported to Kankara on Friday.
According to him, the release of the boys was facilitated by the leadership of MACABAN/Miyetti Allah.
The governor’s Special Adviser on Security, Mallam Ibrahim Katsina, also confirmed the development.
When asked if ransom was paid before the release of the boys, in an interview, Masari said, “We did not pay ransom to the kidnappers, it was purely negotiation.
“Nigerian soldiers and government officials that were involved in the negotiation for the release of the kidnapped schoolboys have told us that the whole school children have been released, 344 of them.
“Those involved in the negotiation include my adviser, some top military and police operatives, members of Miyetti Allah; (they) where all involved in the negotiation.”
He also said those who kidnapped the boys were not Boko Haram.“They are bandits who kidnapped the schoolboys, not Boko Haram.”
Recall that the gunmen suspected to be bandits abducted the students last Friday night from their school’s hostel in a Gestapo-like action.
According to the commissioner of Police in Zamfara State, Usman Nagogo; “the schoolchildren were looking healthy, adding that none of them complained of any ailment.
“The boys are healthy but looking very tired; we will hand them over to their state as soon as possible.”
The CP, however, did not mention whether any ransom was paid before their release.
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