Sources Hint On Release Of 165 Papiri Abductees

Unconfirmed sources yesterday hinted on the release of the remaining 165 school children and staff of St Mary Catholic school Papiri, Agwara local government area of Niger State.

While a source said they had been rescued by the office of the National Security Adviser and were on their way out of the forest, another said the process was on and the children were still with the bandits as gunfire was reported.

On November 21 bandits stormed the school and abducted 315 children and staff. So far, 150 of them have been released, remaining 165.

A source said the authorities were doing everything possible to ensure that the children were released before Christmas.

It was learnt yesterday in Minna that the children might have been released by the bandits but neither the police nor the state government could confirm the story.

The source stated that the children were released from another location deep into the Kainji Lake Park forest and were sited around Mokwa in a retinue of buses being conveyed to Minna.

An inside security source also told LEADERSHIP that the remaining children and staff might have regained freedom,  as transport arrangements were being made to go and conveyed the children from the forest.

It was learnt that the Bandits were about to move the abductees through Babanna Border but they were  pinned down by the combined  forces of some  mercenaries reporting directly to the office of National Security Adviser.

Niger State police spokesman Wasiu Abiodun told LEADERSHIP “there is no such report for now” when contacted yesterday.

Also the chief press secretary to the state governor, Bologi Ibrahim, told LEADERSHIP he would comment on any latest development when available.

It will be recalled that when the National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu visited the Bishop of  Kontogora Catholic Diocese, Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, he promised the release of the abductees in batches before Christmas.

It was learnt that the bandits were ready to release them for cash or their members already arrested and in the custody of the authorities.

It was not clear whether the authorities were able to meet their demands or it was force that was applied to release the children and staff but gunfire was reported around the Babanna forest on Thursday and Friday.