Viral Video Suggests Negotiations In Release Of Kebbi Schoolgirls Despite Government’s Denial

A newly surfaced video has cast doubt on the Federal Government’s claim that no negotiations were held with the abductors of 24 schoolgirls that were abducted from Government Girls’ Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State.

The video, which is circulating on social media showed armed bandits speaking with the students in the forest shortly before their release on Tuesday.

In the footage, one of the abductors is heard telling the girls that their freedom was secured through negotiations and not by military force.

“Your government cannot rescue you with might. We are releasing you after negotiations,” one of the armed men declared.

In the clip, the kidnappers also asked the girls about military aircraft that reportedly flew over the forest during their captivity.

When asked how many jets and helicopters passed above them, the students replied that they could not count them.

The bandits insisted that despite the aerial surveillance, the authorities were unable to force their way in.

They further questioned the schoolgirls about their treatment in captivity. “Did we leave you hungry?” one asked. “No,” the girls replied. “Were you assaulted?” they were asked again, and they answered in the negative.

One of the abductors declared, “We are letting you go after negotiations with authorities. Your government cannot rescue you with might. Your government has failed.”

The video contradicts the official position of the Kebbi State Government and the Federal Government, which had earlier insisted that the students were rescued without any negotiation or ransom payment.

The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, had on Tuesday, alongside Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, announced that the girls were rescued in Makwa Forest in neighbouring Niger State.

According to them, the release followed what they described as a coordinated military operation involving soldiers, police, civil defence, vigilantes and hunters.

Matawalle said the operation involved a fierce gun battle and that no ransom was paid.

He added that the girls would undergo medical examinations before being reunited with their parents.

LEADERSHIP reports the 24 schoolgirls were abducted on Sunday, November 17, when gunmen stormed their school in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State shortly after a military detachment had left the premises.

The vice-principal of the school was killed during the attack.

After their release, the students were seen smiling inside a bus as officials prepared to transport them to Birnin Kebbi, the state capital.

As of the time of filing this report, the Kebbi State Government and the Ministry of Defence have not reacted to the video, which has sparked renewed public debate over whether negotiations were indeed held to secure the girls’ freedom.