Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris has confirmed that the 24 students abducted from a girls’ secondary school in Maga last week have been freed and are in stable condition.
Speaking to journalists at the Government House in Birnin Kebbi, Idris praised President Bola Tinubu and security operatives for coordinating the rescue operation. He noted that the students were already en route back to the state at the time of the briefing, adding that preliminary reports indicated they were safe.
The governor firmly denied claims that a ransom was paid to secure their release. He said a verification process was carried out to determine whether any payment had been made, and both government checks and feedback from security personnel confirmed that no money was involved.
“As a government, we did not pay a single naira, and officers who received the students also stated that they did not collect any money,” he said.
Idris disclosed that the rescued students will be reunited with their parents on Tuesday, as authorities finalize arrangements for their handover.