About 344 schoolboys abducted from Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, last Friday and released on Thursday night have arrived Katsina State this morning.
The students were escorted into the state capital by security operatives. Some of the schoolboys were still clothed in their school uniforms.
Governor Aminu Masari had on Thursday night confirmed the release of 344 abducted schoolboys, adding that the boys were at Tsafe, Zamfara State, and would be transported to Kankara today.
When asked if a ransom was paid before the release of the boys, he said,
“We did not pay ransom to the kidnappers, it was purely negotiation.”
Disclosing how the students were released, Governor Masari said,
“One hour ago, 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 insisted that those who kidnapped the boys were not Boko Haram even though the terrorist group had released a video showing that they were holding the boys.
“They are bandits who kidnapped the schoolboys, not Boko Haram.” Masari said.
