Seven of 317 abducted Jangebe schoolgirls ‘may have escaped’

Seven of the schoolgirls kidnapped from Government Girls Secondary School, Jangebe, Zamfara state, may have escaped from their abductors.

More than 300 students were abducted from the school earlier on Friday.

A source in the community told Channels Television on Friday night that the seven girls escaped from their abductors, while trekking in the forest.

In a statement issued on Friday, Sadiya Umar Farouq, minister of humanitarian affairs, condemned the incident, and also hinted that she had received news of the escape of some students.

Umar-Farouq, who described the attack as “a slap on education”, however, added that the students’ escape has not yet been confirmed.

“I spent the better part of today praying and hoping that there will be a counter-narrative regarding the deeply upsetting news from my home state of Zamfara,” the minister said.

“The reported mass abduction of over 300 students from their hostels at Government Girls Secondary School, Jangebe, Talata Marafa Local Government Area, is sad and must be condemned especially with the Kagara boys still in captivity.

“The continuing attack on schools and students is a slap on the face of education and progress because education is critical to making a better and progressive society.

“I was delighted to receive news that some of the abducted students may have escaped to freedom and look forward to confirmation of such pleasant news.

“Our prayers are with the family, friends, and school authorities of the missing girls and boys as we put our trust in the gallant officers to help find and bring the girls home safely. Our hope is strong and unrelenting.”