Sehar Timings Mar 30 - Ramazan 19

Lahore
LHR
04:35 AM
Karachi
KHI
05:11 AM
Islamabad
ISB
04:37 AM
Peshawar
PWR
04:41 AM
Quetta
QTA
05:06 AM

News

344 Nigerian schoolboys released by captors

December 18, 2020 02:09 PM


An estimated 344 schoolboys abducted in northwest Nigeria last week have been released, a local official in Katsina state said on Thursday.

"We have 344 students, they are currently in Zamfara undergoing checks. We are grateful to God they have been released," Ibrahim Katsina, a security aide to the governor told AFP.

Earlier, a presidential aide said the schoolboys had been freed, but it was unclear was how many were released amid ongoing uncertainty over the number taken in the first place.

Two officials put the number of schoolboys at 320 and 333, while locals in Kankara put it at more than 500.

"No one can give the exact number," a security source told AFP, saying the children were left in a forest after negotiations with the government.

The children were in the town of Tsafe in Zamfara state and nearby Yankara, in Katsina state.

"The actual number of freed children will only be known after a head count when they arrive in (the state capital) Katsina. Any figures given are a conjecture," the security source added.

The attack was initially blamed on criminals, known locally as bandits, but was later claimed by Boko Haram.

The jihadist group released a video on Thursday claiming to show schoolboys seized in the mass kidnapping.



Most Read

  1. Man murders young sister by smothering her with pillow in Toba Tek Singh Man murders young sister by smothering her with pillow in Toba Tek Singh
  2. Aitchison College students, parents stage protest against principal’s resignation Aitchison College students, parents stage protest against principal’s resignation
  3. Five Chinese among six killed in Shangla suicide bombing Five Chinese among six killed in Shangla suicide bombing
  4. Sahiba meets her father for the first time Sahiba meets her father for the first time
  5. Maaz Safder regrets 4-year relationship with wife Saba Maaz Safder regrets 4-year relationship with wife Saba
  6. ‘Khaie's incredible ending receives rave reviews and big applause ‘Khaie's incredible ending receives rave reviews and big applause

Opinion

  1. IMEC to sabotage CPEC
    IMEC to sabotage CPEC

    By Dr Asif Channer

  2. 1947 TO FORM 47
    1947 TO FORM 47

    By Dr Asif Channer

  3. Beijing wants to further highlight industrial sector in its country and take scientific innovation to new heights....
    Beijing wants to further highlight industrial sector in its country and take scientific innovation to new heights....

    By Ali Ramay

  4. Global race: China will reduce its unnecessary expenses
    Global race: China will reduce its unnecessary expenses

    By Ali Ramay

  5. Channer Pir: The Great Saint of Cholistan
    Channer Pir: The Great Saint of Cholistan

    By Dr Asif Channer

  6. Literate the Religious Illiterate
    Literate the Religious Illiterate

    By Dr Asif Channer