Kebbi:We will take you back home safe to your parents, we are doing this based on peace deals-Bandits

On Tuesday, a video has emerged suggesting that the Nigerian government entered into negotiations with the bandits who abducted students of Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State; contradicting official claims that no ransom or deal was involved in securing their release.

According to Daily Post, the students were freed on Tuesday, with authorities insisting that their release was achieved without any form of payment. However, the footage circulating online, shared by @AM_Saleeem on X, appears to show armed members of the kidnapping group speaking openly about discussions held with government representatives.

In the video, one of the bandits was heard interrogating the schoolgirls about military aircraft that flew over the forest while they were being held. He asks how many jets had passed overhead, and the girls respond, “uncountable.”

Another member of the kidnapping group was also heard assuring the students that they would be returned safely to their families, saying, “We will take you back home safe to your parents. We are doing this based on peace deals.”

He also derided the authorities, asking the girls, “How many helicopters did you see hover around?” The students replied that they could not keep count.

Toward the end of the video, one of the abductors declared, “We are releasing you after negotiations. Your government cannot rescue you by force. Your government has failed.”

The footage surfaced shortly after Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, and the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, announced that all the kidnapped students had regained their freedom.

The girls who were abducted when gunmen attacked their school and killed the vice-principal, were later seen smiling inside a bus as officials prepared to convey them to Birnin Kebbi, the state capital.

Authorities have stated that the students will be reunited with their parents today (Wednesday).

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