The governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Aminu Masari has revealed that the abducted students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara are well and alive, but have been moved to Zamfara forest.
Masari gave the revelation when speaking with the BBC Hausa Service, saying, “They (kidnapped schoolboys) are in Zamfara forests, we have got the information.”
While speaking with Channels Television, too, the governor pointed out that the students would return home safely, adding that discussions were on with the suspected abductors through Miyetti Allah, to ensure the students’ release.
He insisted that local bandits in Katsina and Zamfara forests were behind the kidnapping of the students, while debunking Boko Haram’s claims.
Masari said: “It is not true that two students died. I was in school on Saturday and interacted with some of the students who escaped. They did not say any student died.
“I also interacted with the two students who also escaped later; they did not tell me any of the abducted students died or were killed. The news of the death was speculative. The number of students we have yet to account for is 334, although some students have gone to their parents directly.
“We are discussing through the leadership of MACABAN, Miyetti Allah, with those suspected to have carried out the abduction, and I had a meeting with the Commissioner of Police and heads of security agencies two or three hours ago.”
The governor ruled out any payment of ransom for their release.
