A new video has emerged suggesting that the Nigerian government negotiated with the bandits who abducted students of Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi State, before the girls were released on Tuesday.
This comes despite official claims that no ransom was paid to secure their freedom.
The footage, shared on X by user @AM_Saleeem, shows armed bandits questioning the schoolgirls about military aircraft that flew over the forest during their captivity. One of the kidnappers asks how many jets hovered above them, and the students respond, “uncountable.”
The bandit then boasts that security forces were unable to rescue the girls by force, saying authorities “had to negotiate.”
The abductors also questioned the girls about their treatment in captivity.
“Did we leave you hungry?” one of them asked.
“No,” the girls replied.
“Were you assaulted in any way?” he continued.
“No,” they answered.
Another bandit assured the girls that they would be returned home safely, adding, “We are doing this based on peace deals.” He again mocked the government, asking how many helicopters flew overhead. The students said they could not count them.
At the end of the video, one of the abductors declared: “We are letting you go after negotiations. Your government cannot rescue you with might. Your government has failed.”
The footage surfaced shortly after Kebbi State governor, Nasir Idris, and the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, announced that all abducted students had been successfully freed.
The girls, kidnapped during an attack that also claimed the life of the school’s vice-principal, were later seen smiling inside a bus as officials prepared to transport them to Birnin Kebbi.
Authorities say the students will be reunited with their families today (Wednesday).
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