I Played a Part in Kankara Schoolboys’ Release, Says Zamfara Gov

Gunmen on motorcycles had attacked the school on December 11 and abducted the students a couple of hours after President Muhammadu Buhari arrived in Katsina for a week-long private trip.

Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari, however, announced the launch of the 344 schoolboys seven days after their abduction by bandits. The pupils were freed at a forest in Zamfara State.

READ ALSO: No ransom paid to free Katsina schoolboys – Masari

Speaking with journalists in Abuja yesterday, Matawalle said the Kankara schoolboys were released in his state before they were transferred to Katsina.

He said repentant bandits were contacted, who in turn, played a significant role in the negotiations and the eventual launch of the boys.

He said, “When the (Kankara) boys were kidnapped, we stepped in. We achieved to repentant bandits in the country. Negotiations were created and that was how they were released. The boys were released in Zamfara until they were transferred to Katsina.”

Matawalle further explained the country has been considerably safer because he assumed office in May 2019.

READ ALSO: 99% of bandits in Katsina are from Zamfara — Gov Masari

“Ever since I assumed power as the Executive Governor of Zamfara State, my priority was about how to secure Zamfara State from the immediate past position of becoming the most dangerous state to visit or leave’ because of the waves of attacks, killings, maiming, kidnappings, cattle rustling in addition to the vandalisation of public land and assets which bedevilled the state,” he stated.