The abducted students and staff of the College Of Agriculture and Animal Science, Bakura, in Zamfara State, have regained their freedom; it comes 12 days after gunmen whisked them away from the institution.
The Governor of the state Muhammad Bello Matawalle disclosed this to news men in Gusau on Friday.
Matawalle said they were freed through the help of repentant bandits.
He said no ransom was paid for their release
They were brought to the Government House in Gusau in a bus amid heavy security and were received by the Governor and top officials of the state.
InsightnaijaTV reports that armed men had stormed the institution around 11:00 pm on August 15 and abducted 15 students, four staff members, and a driver.
During the attack, the gunmen killed two guards and a police officer.
Days later, amid outrage and condemnation of yet another attack on schools in the country, the abductors demanded the sum of N350 million for the release of those abducted.
Upon receiving the students on Friday, Matawalle, however, said that no ransom was paid for their release.
Meanwhile, the Governor has ordered the closure of all major markets in the state.
He also ordered that all filling stations in local areas be shut down, adding that there should be no selling of fuel even in jerry cans.