Police
Eko Hot Blog reports that the Katsina State Police Command said the 21 children abducted by terorrists on a farm in Faskari Local Government Area have been released.
Recall that the terrorists kidnapped the 21 children comprising 17 girls and four boys, while working on the farm in the Mairuwa community of Katsina last week.
They were said to have carried out the abduction over the refusal of the farm owner to pay a compensation levy the terrorists imposed on all farmers in the community.
However, the spokesperson of police in Katsina, Gambo Isah, confirmed the release of the children in a statement Saturday evening.
Isa said the victims have since been reunited with their families.
The statement, which was shared via WhatsApp, added that the police are investigating the circumstances that led to the abduction of the children.
“Good evening Gentlemen of the Press. It is with great joy that I announce the release of all the 21 abducted workers that were kidnapped while working in a farmland at Kamfanin Mai Lafiya village, Faskari LGA of Katsina state,” the statement said.
“They have been reunited with their families. Investigation is ongoing please.”
He didn’t provide further details, leaving the public in the dark on whether a ransom was paid before the children were released.
The terrorists had vowed to release the children after the payment of N30m ransom or access to a direct discussion with the owner of the farm.
The children’s release comes hours after a statement by the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) called on the federal government of Nigeria to take necessary actions to rescue them.
According to a UNICEF representative in Nigeria, Cristian Munduate, children should not be the target of crisis or violence.
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