There was confusion on Sunday over reports on the release of over 317 schoolgirls kidnapped from Government Girls Secondary School, Jangebe, Talata-Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Contrary to claims in earlier media reports on the schoolgirls’ release, state government officials said the kidnapped students have yet to be released by their abductors as of Sunday afternoon.
Earlier, there were widespread reports of the girls’ release, but which could not confirm from any official or security source.
Efforts to speak with the officials of the Zamfara State Government have also proved abortive.
But the state Commissioner for Information and Culture, Suleiman Tunau Anka, in a tweet on Sunday afternoon stressed that the abducted schoolgirls have yet to be set free.
No fewer than 317 schoolgirls were kidnapped from their hostel last Friday, but only seven of them reportedly escaped from their abductors.
FirstNews learnt that the Zamfara State government is still exploring negotiation with the schoolgirls’ abductors.
But media reports further stated that an official of the state government confirmed the schoolgirls’ release to Channels Television on Sunday.
Our correspondent gathered that the released students had arrived at the palace of the Emir of Anka from where they would be moved to the state capital.
Meanwhile, it was learnt that a briefing would be held by the state government today.
There had been reports that negotiations with the bandits who kidnapped the schoolgirls had reached a very advanced stage.
A security source had said “they may be in Gusau today.”
The girls who were kidnapped on Friday were believed to have been taken to a forest by bandits, who reportedly disguised as security personnel.
A source said the girls were kept in the forest between Dangulbi and Sabon Birnin Banaga in the Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.