Gusau, Nigeria-Authorities in the northwestern Nigerian state of Zamfara are holding negotiations for the release of 317\u00a0schoolgirls\u00a0kidnapped by criminal gangs last week, sources familiar with the talks said Monday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gunmen from cattle rustling and kidnapping-for-ransom gangs on Friday invaded the Government Girls Secondary School in remote Jangebe village, whisking the girls away from their hostel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is Nigeria\u2019s third school attack in less than three months — a series that has revived traumatic memories of the \u201cChibok girls\u201d kidnapped nearly seven years ago. Since the incident, government officials have been in talks with the kidnappers, known locally as bandits, over the girls\u2019 release, two sources told AFP. Both sources asked not to be identified due to the sensitivity of the issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTalks are ongoing with the bandits holding the girls and we hope to make a breakthrough soon,\u201d said a government official privy to the negotiations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is a delicate situation which requires patience and tact as it involves the lives of hundreds of girls.\u201d A second source said the location of the girls had been established but a military option was not on the cards, to avoid \u201cputting the lives of the hostages in danger.\u201d some bandits renounced violence and accepted the state government\u2019s amnesty offer in exchange for laying down their arms. A source said \u201crepentant bandits\u201d were being contacted to reach out to their former comrades as part of efforts to free the students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe negotiations have gone far, with a few hurdles on the way, and once such hurdles are surmounted the girls will be released. That\u2019s our ardent hope,\u201d the source added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Sunday, a delegation from the Nigerian central government met with Zamfara state governor Bello Matawalle, giving an assurance from President Muhammadu Buhari that the girls would be reunited with their families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika said all that mattered was the \u201csafe return of these children\u201d and there was no need for \u201cblame games.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Northwestern and central Nigeria have seen a surge in attacks by heavily armed criminal gangs raiding villages, killing and abducting residents after looting and torching homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Saturday, 42 people — 27 schoolboys, three teachers and 12 family members abducted by gunmen in Kagara in central Niger state — were released after spending 10 days in captivity.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Gusau, Nigeria-Authorities in the northwestern Nigerian state of Zamfara are holding negotiations for the release of 317\u00a0schoolgirls\u00a0kidnapped by criminal gangs last week, sources familiar with the talks said Monday. Gunmen from cattle rustling and kidnapping-for-ransom gangs on Friday invaded the Government Girls Secondary School in […]<\/p>\n
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