Over 20 Abducted Students Of Federal University Gusau, Corps Members Regain Freedom In Zamfara After Over 200 Days In Terrorists’ Den

On Sunday, April 14, a group of terrorists who abducted several students of the Federal University, Gusau in Zamfara State, who were kidnapped on September 22, 2023, finally released those remaining in captivity.

A cousin of one of the female students confirmed this to SaharaReporters on Monday morning, adding that all the abducted students and staff members of the university had regained freedom.

“My sister was finally released together with other kidnapped students yesterday. All of them have been freed now. This is after spending 205 days in captivity,” the source told SaharaReporters.

“I don't know if any ransom was paid actually,” the source added.

Bandits had invaded hostels in the Sabon-Gida community of the Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara, abducting over 20 students, mostly females.

It was also gathered that some members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) who were abducted in Sokoto State were also released along with the students.

SaharaReporters had reported how the terrorists attacked three off-campus hostels at Sabon Gida, one of the university's hosting communities on the outskirts of Gusau last year.

Some of the parents, who spoke on condition of anonymity, had earlier disclosed that several attempts they made to secure the release of their children failed.

They added that the bandits threatened that they would not release the female students numbering over 20, because of "the failure of the state government to negotiate with them as well as the corrupt practices of some officials in the government in the whole saga."

All efforts to reach the state police command spokesperson, Yezid Abubakar for comments and updates were unsuccessful. He did not answer his calls and had yet to reply to messages sent to his mobile phone.