Twenty-one children kidnapped on a farm at Mairuwa village of Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State have been set free.
Recall that 39 labourers, who were mostly boys and girls below the age of 20, were abducted on a farm.
Six of them however managed while six of them managed to escape.
But the police said the number of those abducted was 21 contrary to the claims by the residents of the area.
Katsina Police Command spokesman, SP Gambo Isah, who announced the release of the captives on Saturday, said, “It is with great joy that I announce the release of of all the 21 abducted workers that were kidnapped while working in a farmland at Kamfanin Mailafiya village, Faskari LGA, Katsina State.
“They have been united with their families. Investigation is ongoing please.”
The PPRO was, however, silent about whether ransom was paid or not.
One of the residents of Mairuwa, the village worst hit by the attack, while confirming the development, said, “Yes, All praise be to Allah, the captives were released and returned home.
“There was negotiation and the farm owner paid a sum of N1.5m while the sum of N50,000 was paid for the money used to feed the victims as demanded by the bandits, making a total of N1, 550,000.”
He said some Fulani leaders in the area had to intervene by pleading on behalf of the communities as the bandits initially rejected the offer made.