Katsina state governor, Aminu Masari, has on Thursday night said no ransom was paid for the release of the 344 students abducted from Government Science Secondary School, Kankara in Katsina state.
The school was attacked last Friday with the armed men leading several students into the bush, causing panic in the country.
After 6 days in captivity, Governor Masari on Thursday night announced that the 344 students, have been released.
Breaking: Abducted Kankara Schoolboys Released
However, it is not clear if all the students have been released as Masari earlier said only 333 students were abducted from the school.
Also, the school register, according to Daily Trust, indicated that 668 students were missing after the attack.
However, one of the students, who escaped, while recounting his horrific ordeal said 520 of them were counted in the bush.
Read Also: Katsina School Attack: Student Recounts How He Escaped From Abductors (Audio)
Governor Masari, while speaking to DWTV Hausa in an interview on Thursday night, revealed that no ransom was paid to secure the release of the students.
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 said those who kidnapped the boys were not Boko Haram, as he earlier stated, contradicting the claim of Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau.
They are bandits who kidnapped the schoolboys, not Boko Haram.
Speaking about the state of the released boys, Masari stated that “all the students are in good condition of health”, adding that the students were fatigued from trekking and days spent in captivity.
He expressed that they were on their way to Katsina for medical check-up and data capturing.
According to Daily Trust, while in the bush, the students were kept in clusters in three different locations by three different groups with different motives.
It was learnt that the students regained freedom after a series of negotiations at different levels between governments at the national and state levels on one hand, and the abductors on the other.
Many Nigerians across the country have since expressed joy over the safe return of 344 students.
Watch a video of Governor Masari announcing the return of the boys and that ransom was not paid;
Governor Masari announcing the release of #KankaraBoys . pic.twitter.com/bAEljfbCwH
— Mubarak (@mubee4abu) December 17, 2020
Governor Masari speaking after the release of abducted students. He said no amount was paid in securing their freedom. #KankaraBoys #KankaraStudents #BringBackOurBoys pic.twitter.com/9jgg6o6TIo
— Jamil Mabai (@jaymb000) December 17, 2020
