The village head of Dan-Aji community in Faskari Local Government of Katsina State, Lawal Dogara, has said that contrary to the claim of Zamafara State Government that no money was paid to secure the release of the 26 abducted girls from the village, the community had paid the sum of N6.6 million for their freedom.
Speaking with newsmen on Monday, Dogara contradicted the state government’s claim, saying the victims’ release was made possible by the efforts of their parents and the community.
Dogara said, N6.6 million was paid as ransom to rescue the girls, adding that the money was handed over to two community leaders , Abdulkarim Dan Aji and Liman Babangida Dan-Aji, who delivered the ransom to the kidnappers after trekking for three days into the forest.
“Governor Matawalle was never involved in their release; it was purely efforts of the parents and the community leaders that secured the victims’ release,” Dogara said.
“The governor of Zamfara state should stop claiming credit for the release of our women, because we paid for their release, he stressed.
According to the village head, during the attack on the community, 15 persons were killed and many houses were razed by the kidnappers.
The girls were said to have been picked randomly from different houses in the community and were rescued from a forest in Zamfara state.
The special adviser to the governor on public enlightenment, media and communication, Zailani Bappa, on Monday said that the girls were released on November 6 after negotiations with the armed bandits.
