The Niger State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Presidency have confirmed the release of 130 kidnapped school children in the state.
The victims were abducted by gunmen from the St. Mary’s Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, Niger State in November.
The Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, who confirmed the release of pupils and teachers in a statement signed by his media aide, Daniel Atori, on Sunday, said the abducted victims were released after intense negotiations which did not involve any exchange of money.
“The Bishop of Kontagora Diocese and Proprietor of the school, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, said that Governor Umaru Bago called him few minutes ago to confirm the release of the children and teachers,” Atori said.
“However, the figure was not mentioned as they are expected in Minna on Monday and to be received by the Governor in government house,” he added.
But in a post made on X by Sunday Dare, one of President Bola Tinubu’s spokespersons on Sunday night, the Presidency said the number of the released victims were 130, bringing the total number of rescued pupils to 230.
“Another 130 abducted Niger state pupils released, none left in captivity,” Dare wrote in the post, accompanied by a photo of smiling children and a woman.
