The abducted pupils of Tanko Salihu Islamic School, Tegina, in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, have been released after 88 days in captivity.
The school’s proprietor, Idris Umar, confirmed the news on Thursday. They were released by their abductors around Kebbi State.
The abduction happened on 30th May following an attack on Tegina where bandits were said to have shot endlessly to scare away people.
About 200 persons were kidnapped from the school, of which were 136 pupils. Within weeks after the abduction, two children escaped from the kidnappers’ den. Four children reportedly died of illness and more were reported to be severely ill.
A parent was also confirmed dead after hearing of the abduction.
The proprietor, while confirming the pupils’ release, said that the children were currently on their way to Minna, where the state government will receive them. The bandits, after the abduction, had demanded N300m as ransom initially, but they later reduced it to N50m, which was paid in two instalments.
After the N50m ransom, the abductors also demanded another N20m and six motorcycles, which they insisted on getting before releasing the children.