Katsina State governor, Aminu Bello Masari, has said the gunmen who kidnapped students from Government Science Secondary School in Kankara have been contacted and were negotiating the boys’ freedom through the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN).
Speaking in an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, Governor Masari said his administration is in discussions with the suspected abductors through MACBAN.
He expressed;
We are discussing through the leadership of MACBAN, Miyetti Allah with those suspected to have carried out the abduction and I had a meeting with the Commissioner of Police and heads of security agencies two or three hours ago.
There are talks. It is not about who is in charge, but what is of paramount concern to me as the chief security officer of the state is that these students return home safely and this is what we are talking about.
Read Also: Katsina Students Abductors Have Contacted Us, Says Governor Masari
He added;
It is natural for patents to be angry, but I as the state governor, I will answer for my deeds here and beyond. So, I am more concerned about the rescue of the children and safety of people of the state.
In addition, he revealed that about 17 of the schoolboys have escaped and returned to their families but denied the killing of any of the abducted students by their abductors.
Meanwhile, security and local sources have told AFP that Boko Haram recruited three local gangs to kidnap the students.
This comes as the military and security experts believe that Boko Haram is not responsible for the abduction.
The jihadist group had claimed responsibility for Friday’s abduction of the over 300 students.
Read Also: Boko Haram Claims Responsibility For Kidnap Of Kankara Students, Abubakar Shekau Gives Reason
In the same vein, the Defence Headquarters has said there was no cause to worry over the safety of President Muhammadu Buhari in Katsina State.
Coordinator of Defence Media Operations, John Enenche stated this when he featured on Arise TV, yesterday.
Read Also: Buhari Arrives Daura For One-Week Visit
Also, the Military High Command disclosed that troops would not sleep until they ensure that all the abducted students were rescued.
