A new video has surfaced showing bandits who abducted the Kebbi schoolgirls stating that the Nigerian government negotiated and arrived at a deal with them before the girls were set free.
Recall that some kidnapped students of Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi State, were released on Tuesday, Nov. 25, with the government claiming that no ransom was paid before their release.
However, in a new video that surfaced online, bandits are seen claiming that the government had negotiated with them before the girls were freed.
In the video shared on X by @AM_Saleeem, one of the armed bandits is heard questioning the schoolgirls about military aircraft that flew over the forest during their captivity.
He asks how many jets passed above them, and the girls respond, “uncountable.”
The kidnapper then boasts that the authorities could not rescue the students by force and had to negotiate. The abductors also asked the girls about their condition in captivity.
“Did we leave you hungry?” one bandit asked.
“No,” the girls replied.
“Were you assaulted in any way?” he asked again.
“No,” they answered.
Another kidnapper told them, “We will take you back home safe to your parents, we are doing this based on peace deals.”
He also mocked the government again, stating, “We are letting you go after negotiations. Your government cannot rescue you with might. Your government has failed.”
The footage appeared shortly after Kebbi State governor, Nasir Idris and the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, announced that all abducted students had been freed.
The girls, who were kidnapped after armed men stormed their school and k!lled the vice-principal, were later seen smiling inside a bus as officials prepared to transport them to Birnin Kebbi, the state capital.
Authorities have said the students will be handed over to their parents today, Nov. 26.
Watch video below.
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