Federal Government Denies Negotiating With Bandits For Release Of Abducted Students In Zamfara

The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, has debunked a claim by Zamfara State Government that the Federal Government is negotiating with the bandits who kidnapped some female students and Staff of Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State.

Badaru said contrary to the claim, the Federal Government is working assiduously to ensure that the students and other abductees return home safely.

In a statement by the Acting Director Press and Public Relations in the Ministry of Defence, Attari Hope, the Minister said that the allegation is false and misleading as the Ministry has not mandated any body or group to negotiate on behalf of the Federal Government.

Badaru said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given marching orders to the Military and other security agencies to ensure the release of those that were abducted .

He said that the order of President Tinubu has started yielding result as 13 of the abducted students and three others regained freedom on Monday.

“This feat was achieved through the professional efforts of the Military,” Badaru said.

He condoled with families of the girls and others that were abducted stating: “I share in your pain and strongly condemn this reprehensible act carried out by suspected bandits.”

The Minister expressed confidence that the joint security task forces deployed after the bandits would rescue the remaining abductees and bring them home safely.