The just-released students of Government Girls’ Secondary School, GGSS, Jangebe in Talata Mafara Local Government Area, LGA of Zamfara State have arrived at the Government House, Gusau, about 4 a.m. on Tuesday. Zamfara State Governor, Dr. Bello Matawalle, who confirmed their release in a Tweet on Tuesday, expressed delight over their freedom. He said “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 enjoin all well-meaning Nigerians to rejoice with us as our daughters are now safe.”
An aide to Governor Bello Matawalle, while giving some details about the development said the almost 300 released girls are currently waiting at the government house waiting to be reunited with their parents.
The official said 279 schoolgirls were released around 4:00 a.m. on Tuesday, adding that he needs additional time to provide details on the remaining 38 girls.
Governor Matawalle while speaking to Al Jazeera said the students were released without any payment of ransom. “Today, we have received the children who were under captivity since Friday. I initiated a peace accord which yielded a positive result. No ransom was paid to anyone. I insisted that we were not going to give anything to any of them.”