317 Zamfara schoolgirls regain freedom

Abdullahi HammedFebruary 28, 2021

0 1 minute read

Zamfara State Government has confirmed the release of the 317 female students abducted from Government Girls Secondary School, GGSS, Jangebe in Talata Mafara Local Government Area, LGA last week.

A government official confirmed the release of the girls to Channels Television on Sunday.

Over 300 students were abducted when gunmen stormed the school in the wee hours of Friday.

A source had told Newsflash that the victims were held at Dangulbi Forest in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara.

It is unclear if any ransom was paid for their release but Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara has been pushing for a dialogue with bandits for peace to reign.

The latest Zamfara abduction happened hours after the state government said some repentant bandits had surrendered their arms.

The governor had ordered the closure of all boarding schools in the state during the search for the schoolgirls and assured parents and family members of the victims that they would be freed soon.

“My dear good people of Zamfara State, this is not a moment to trade blame. The recent twist in the spate of banditry brings to the fore the need for the adoption of a uniform strategy across all the affected states.

“I appeal to the people of the state to remain calm and resist the evil machinations of those who would want to exploit the current situation to achieve political ends.

Insha Allah, with our collective resolve, we would emerge out of this situation stronger,” he had said in a statewide broadcast.

While reacting to the kidnap of schoolgirls, President Muhammadu Buhari had warned governors against giving out vehicles and cash to bandits.

But the Zamfara State Commissioner of Security and Home Affairs, Hon. Abubakar Mohammed Dauran has refuted the reports, saying that the state government was doing everything possible to secure the release of the girls.

Details later…