After two years of being held captive, four of the remaining 11 schoolgirls abducted from Federal Government College Birnin Yauri in Kebbi State have been released by a notorious bandit leader, Dogo Gide. The girls, Bilha Musa, Faiza Ahmed, Rahma Abdullahi, and Hafsa Murtala, were freed on Friday evening following six days of negotiations in the forest.
Salim Kaoje, a spokesperson for the parents, confirmed that the release of the girls was made possible through the payment of an undisclosed amount of money, with parents selling their properties and Nigerians assisting financially through a fundraising initiative.
Unfortunately, seven of the schoolgirls are still in captivity, with two parents currently in the forest attempting to secure their release.
The abduction of dozens of students and teachers from the federal government-owned mixed boarding school occurred on June 17, 2021, when the school was attacked by bandits.
In January, Salim Kaoje confirmed that they were in talks with Dogo Gide after seeking intervention through the bandit’s mother.
The release of the four schoolgirls is a positive step, but the situation highlights ongoing security concerns in Nigeria.
