It has been reported that 137 schoolchildren who were abducted from Kuriga, Chikun Local Government Area in Kaduna State have been safely released and have arrived at the Government House in Kaduna.
According to a statement signed by the state governor, Uba Sani, the schoolchildren were released without any ransom being paid to the abductors
The governor clarified that the number of schoolchildren abducted was 137 and not 287 as was previously reported in some sections of the media.
The release of the schoolchildren was not aided by controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, as confirmed by Governor Sani in an interview on a Channels Television program.
Although Gumi had offered to negotiate with the bandits for the release of the students, he was not involved in the release of the schoolchildren.
When asked if ransom was paid to secure the release of the schoolchildren, Governor Sani stated that there was no truth to the speculations and that he would not undermine the efforts of the Armed Forces.
The Nigerian Military has confirmed that the pupils were rescued from Zamfara State.