From Samson Alfa, Minna
Niger State Government, teachers and the parents of the kidnapped St Mary Catholic School Papiri heed a sigh of relief as news of the release of the remaining 130 abducted victims from St. Mary Catholic School, Papiri was announced.
Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Minna, the state capital, yesterday.
Abiodun said that the last batch of victims released brought to an end the ordeal of the abducted students and staff members of the school.
He explained that the 130 victims were students and staff members of the school.
The Police Spokesman also assured the public that further developments on the matter would be communicated as necessary.
AljazirahNigeria recalls that 318 students and teachers were abducted on Nov. 21 by terrorists and they were all released on December 21. The victims especially these 130 were held hostage under harsh conditions for 30 days.
It would be recalled that at least 51 students escaped few days after the incident and the remaining were released in batches after the government of President Tinubu and that of Umar Bago negotiated their release.
To further, support the claims of negotiating with bandits and terrorists, Mr Bayo Onanuga in his tweet after the Kebbi adoption mandated the Minister Matawalle to spearhead the release of the school and church victims the same way he did as a governor in Zamfara State.
Also on Dec. 8, the presidency announced that at least 100 schoolchildren were further rescued, reassuring parents that the government will continue efforts to reunite all the kidnapped students with their families.
Niger State Governor, Umar Bago had earlier received the first batch of about 100 freed students through the Office of the National Security Adviser, Mr Nuhu Ribadu ,who recently informed the public that the adopted children and teachers were in safe hands and will be released very soon.
Niger State Governor, and parents, relatives of the victims were in high spirits and thanking God and government for reuniting the families with their children.
Bago used the occasion to commend Mr Nuhu Ribadu, the SA on National Security Adviser and other security agencies for their gallant efforts which led to the successful rescue mission.
