The 130 abducted pupils of Salihu Tanko Islamiyya School, Tegina, in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger abducted on May 30 have been released by their captors after six were reported to have died of cold and hunger.
They were released on Thursday night in Birnin Gwari LGA of Kaduna State after 86 days in captivity.
A resident, Kasimu Barangana, who earlier delivered some part of the ransom to the bandits in the forest, was among the people who received the freed pupils at Doka village in Birnin Gwari LGA.
Mr Barangana confirmed their release.
The Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Birnin Gwari, Danladi Idon-Duniya, was reportedly among the people who received the pupils.
The 130 pupils were reportedly dumped around Birnin- Gwari town in Kaduna State at about 7.30 p.m. on Thursday.
It was gathered that the pupils were released after 6 of them died of colds, malnutrition and fever.
The children are being transported to Minna and would be received on Friday by Gov. Abubakar Sani-Bello after profiling.
When contacted, the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Ahmed Matane, said: ”I heard about that too, but I cannot say anything until we see them”. (NAN)
