340 abducted Kankara Schoolboys regain freedom

Katsina state government have confirmed to the BBC that the 344 Kidnapped schoolboys in Kankara have been freed and are on their way to Katsina city. They’re expected there in the next six hours. Secretary to the Katsina State Government, Mustapha Inuwa, told the BBC the boys were in good condition.

President Buhari’s personal assistant on New Media, Bashir Ahmad also shared the update on his social media page.

BBC journalist Abdulbaki Jari says the boys were freed at Tsafe (82.5km via road) from Kankara town in Katsina state were they were abducted.

Speaking to Al Jazeera earlier today at the Government House, Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari  had said the state and the country have been on edge due to what he described as a sad development. He however promised that the country should expect something positive within the next 24 hours.

“I am sure that within the next 24 hours the boys will be back home. Yes, I’m sure of that. I have been in touch with them. Everything is on course, very soon they will be back, the governor had said.

Speaking on the video that was released few hours ago by the terrorist group, Boko Haram, showing pictures of some of the boys, Masari said he was sure that Boko Haram was not directly involved in the abduction, saying however that there might have been a connection between the terror group and some bandits.

“Boko Haram was not directly involved in the abduction. It is doubtful if the group was directly involved. But there might be a connection with other groups”, the governor said.

Multiple sources in Katsina and Abuja said the schoolboys were released today after “rigorous” negotiation between governments at the national and state levels.

The students had been abducted by Boko Haram on the night of Friday, December 11.

Details later…