By Correspondent in Katsina
The Katsina State governor, Aminu Bello Masari, has confirmed the release of the abducted students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara Thursday evening but stressed that his government did not pay a kobo as ransom for their freedom.
He also insisted that the boys were not abducted by Bokoharam members, adding that, “they are bandits who kidnapped the schoolboys, not Boko Haram.”
On the contrary, Boko Haram had claimed responsibility for the abduction of the schoolboys with a release of video of the boys to butresd their claim.
The boys were seen pleading to the government to cooperate with their abductors in securing their release.
The governor said the boys were at Tsafe, Zamfara State, adding that the boys would be transported to Kankara on Friday.
“We did not pay ransom to the kidnappers, it was purely negotiation, he told DWTV Hausa in an interview later on Thursday.
“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, ”the Governor further said.
He said the release of the boys was facilitated by the leadership of MACABAN/Miyetti Allah.
The Commisdioner of Police in Zamfara state,Usman Nagogo, also confirmed the presence of the students in the state, promising that they would be handed over to Katsina state government as soon as possible.
