The 317 students abducted from Government Girls Science Secondary school Jangebe in Talata Mafara LGA have not been released as widely reported, the state government and police authorities have said late Sunday.
Mr Suleiman Anka, Zamfara state Commissioner for Information, said in a tweet that security agencies and the state government were doing their best to secure the release of the girls.
He said the government is still negotiating with the bandits for the safe return of the schoolgirls.
A statement by the spokesperson of the police command in the state, SP Mohammed Shehu, said the police in collaboration with other security agencies and the state government are intensifying efforts that will lead to the safe rescue of the students.
The police and state government reactions are coming after some state officials early Sunday confirmed to our reporter that the schoolgirls were released and they were on their way to Gusau, the state capital to be received by the state governor.
A member of the state executive council who doesn’t want to be named confirmed the girls release to 21st Century Chronicle on Sunday.
The students were abducted and taken to an unknown destination by armed gun men who invaded the school in early hours of Friday.
“Yes it is true that the students have been released but I can’t officially confirmed that to you.
“They are already being transported to Gusau where they will be received by the State and federal officials,” he said.
Governor Muhammad Bello Matawalle is at the forefront of using the ‘Zamfara Template’ in negotiating with bandits.
The federal government had sent a delegation to the state under the Minister of Aviation Hadi Sirika, who said the Jangebe abduction would be the last in the country.
