Hundreds of pupils (about 300) kidnapped from Government Girls Secondary School, Jangebe in Talatu-Mafara local government area of Zamfara state, Northwest Nigeria, have been released.
Governor of the state, Bello Matawalle, who disclosed this did not give their numbers. Reports have, however, varied on the actual numbers as some reported 300 while others reported 279.
This was greeted by jubilation and tears of joy from parents snd residents of the sleepy town where the kidnapping took place.
The schoolgirls were kidnapped after gunmen invaded the school in the wee hours of the morning last Friday.
There was speculation about their release at the weekend, but the Zamfara state government dismissed the rumour as fake news.
But on Tuesday, the state government announced that the schoolgirls have been released.
”Alhamdulillah! It gladdens my heart to announce the release of the abducted students of GGSS Jangebe from captivity. This follows the scaling of several hurdles laid against our efforts. I enjoin all well-meaning Nigerians to rejoice with us as our daughters are now safe,” Bello Matawalle, the governor, tweeted.
The Jangebe abductions happened a few days after 27 schoolboys have kidnapped from Government Science College, Kagara, Niger state.
Captives from both incidents have regain freedom.
Attacks targeting schools have become often since last December when schoolboys were kidnapped from Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina state. They were released a few days later.
