No fewer than 15 of those kidnapped by bandits at an Islamic school in Tegina, Niger State, have escaped from their abductors as their drunk guards dozed off.
The escapees, it was learnt, included some adults abducted alongside the 156 pupils of Salihu Tanko Islamic School in late May.
It was learnt that the victims were those separated by the bandits from the children and taken to a forest in Zamfara State.
But the victims, it was gathered, escaped from the house they were kept in the forest when their drunk guards fell asleep.
The escapees were said to have taken different directions to escape being caught again by the other bandits in the forest.
An escapee who got to Tegina first informed the people, prompting Niger state government to begin working toward assisting other victims.
The escapee is said to be hospitalised for treatment.
Further information revealed that three other victims among the escapees arrived Tegina in the early hours of Sunday, while one of them who was rescued was brought to Minna where he is receiving treatment.
Other escapees are in Zaria, it has since been learnt.
Meanwhile, the security operatives and the vice chairman of Kagara local government were said to have been sent to the Tegina-Birnin Gwari road to await the arrival of the remaining 10 escapees.
The source said they would be brought to Minna for proper attention.
The news of the escapees raises hope that the 156 children also picked by the bandits will soon regain their freedom.
In a related development, it was gathered that there was an attempt by the bandits on Saturday which was resisted by the residents.