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Associated Press/Photo by Sunday AlambaUsman Mohammad Rabiu, a 13-year-old kidnapped from his boarding school on Dec. 11, arrives home safely in Ketare, Nigeria.
Associated Press/ Photo by Sunday AlambaA classroom in the Government Science Secondary School, Katsina, Nigeria.
Abducted Nigerian schoolboys freed
by Onize Ohikere
Posted 12/21/20, 12:39 am
More than 300 boys kidnapped a week ago from a boarding school in northern Katsina state reunited with their parents on Saturday. State Gov. Aminu Masari told local media that officials transported the 344 boys to the state capital to receive medical care before returning home. The gunmen stormed the all-boys Government Science Secondary School in the village of Kankara on Dec. 11.
How were they released? Masari said soldiers and government officials negotiated with the kidnappers and insisted the government did not pay any ransom. Boko Haram claimed responsibility for the abduction, but government officials blamed regional bandits with a record of kidnapping. Another abduction of more than 80 students happened Saturday night in an area nearby, but the pupils were quickly rescued by security forces after a fierce gun battle, police announced Sunday.
Dig deeper: Read my earlier report in The Sift on the abduction.
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Onize Ohikere
Onize is WORLD's Africa reporter. She is a World Journalism Institute graduate and earned a journalism degree from Minnesota State University-Moorhead. Onize resides in Abuja, Nigeria. Follow her on Twitter @onize_ohiks.
Comments
TIM MILLER
Posted: Fri, 12/18/2020 11:58 amGlad they are free!