KATSINA: Miyetti Allah facilitated release of Kankara schoolboys — Masari

GOVERNOR Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State has restated his position that the students of Government Science Secondary School, who were released last night from their abductors, were not kidnapped by Boko Haram terrorists but bandits.

Masari noted that while the negotiations lasted he never for once spoke to a Boko Haram member.

The governor also said that no ransom was paid to secure the release of the abducted students.

Masari disclosed this in an interview with a German radio, Deutsche Welle, DW, Thursday night.

Speaking on how government secured the release of the boys, the governor said it was facilitated by the Miyyeti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN.

He said the group helped the government to engage in talks withe the bandits, stressing that no kobo was paid as ransom.

“Some hours ago, those assisting us in talks with the bandits said they have released all children in captivity. About 344 of them. And we have sent vehicles to transport them to Katsina.

“We will direct our doctors to carry out medical examination on the children tomorrow morning. They have spent six-day in the forest.

“We will change their clothes and we will hand them over to their parents,” Masari said.

Meanwhile, additional information from other government officials, however, showed that the children were released at Tsafe near Zamfara capital, Gusau, and would be transported back to Katsina, the state capital.

Exactly a week ago, gunmen stormed Government Science Secondary School in Kankara, Katsina State and abducted over 300 students.

The incident happened on the very day President arrived the state for private visit.
The students were, however, released on Thursday (yesterday) after spending six days in the kidnappers’ den.