30 kidnapped FGC students, teacher, regain freedom after 6 months in captivity
30 students and a teacher of the Federal Government College, Birnin Yauri, Kebbi State, have been freed by the bandits who kidnapped them.
The victims were abducted on June 17, 2021, and had remained in the custody of their kidnappers for the past six months.
Yahaya Sarki, Special Adviser to Kebbi State Governor Atiku Bagudu on Media and Publicity, in a statement issued on Sunday said the freed students and their teacher were received by officials of the state government on Saturday evening.
Sarki said, “Today, Saturday 8th January 2022, 30 students of Federal Government College, Birnin Yauri, and one teacher, have arrived Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State capital following their release.
“The 30 students of the school were released and brought to Birnin Kebbi to be reunited with their families. This is in addition to some who were earlier released to their parents.
“They shall undergo medical screening and support while being re-united with their families.
“We thank all security agencies and those who have helped in securing their release, while congratulating Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari for the success, in freeing the students.”
The victims were kidnapped by terrorists from the camp of a notorious kidnap kingpin, Dogo Gide, operating from a neighbouring forest in Rijau local government area of Niger State, after invading the school.
Armed to the teeth, the assailants had stormed the school on motorcycles, overpowered and killed two mobile police officers and two civilians.
Gide thereafter made a video of the kidnapped students where he made some demands including the release of his arrested gang members in exchange for the release of the students.
While the kidnap kingpin has since been killed by security operatives, some of the students had been freed in batches over the past six months.
