Earlier this year, 279 schoolgirls from the Government Secondary School in Jangebe, Zamfara State were abducted by terrorists. A member of the group has revealed that the state of Zamfara paid a ransom of N60 million to secure the students’ release.
This information was revealed by the terrorist group’s head in a documentary aired on BBC African Eye on Monday.
“We used part of the money to buy rifles,” he told BBC.
Meanwhile, Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara state earlier claimed that no ransom was paid to the terrorists while confirming their release.
The governor, in a tweet, said; “Alhamdulillah! It gladdens my heart to announce the release of the abducted students of GGSS Jangebe from captivity.
“This follows the scaling of several hurdles laid against our efforts. I am enjoying all well-meaning Nigerians to rejoice with us as our daughters are now safe.”
No ransom was paid, the governor later admitted to the BBC Hausa, but he urged the Nigerian government to boost the number of security personnel in the nation.
The governor reported that all 279 students were healthy and unharmed. He said that his wife and he were at the Government House in Gusau to receive the schoolgirls who had been let free and transported there in buses.
