Nigeria authorities declare curfew after violence marred reunion of kidnapped girls with parents

March, 4th 2021 – Authorities in Nigeria’s Zamfara state, have declared a curfew and shut market activities, after violence marred the return of hundreds of kidnapped schoolgirls to their families.

The reunion of the kidnapped daughters and their parents in Jangebe, Nigeria, turned violent when armed forces reportedly opened fire. At least three people were reportedly shot at the official handover ceremony.

Reports show that Parents became frustrated at how long the ceremony was taking and started throwing stones at government officials.

One parent said, “We got tired of waiting. The government officials were talking and talking while we were just waiting to take our kids. They started saying that they would hand over the girls to us tomorrow.

He added, “We couldn’t take that. some angry youths started throwing stones at the soldiers. They started firing and shot three kids. One is dead. Why is the government treating us without human feelings?”

The 279 girls were kidnapped by armed men while at school last Friday.

They were freed on Tuesday and kept in the custody of the Zamfara state government, while receiving medical treatment in the state capital Gusau, before the official handover ceremony.

Zamfara Police Commissioner, Abutu Yaro, has however denied that his men shot at parents and children, terming the reports as fake news.

He said, “I think the parents hurriedly carried their children because they think they come from very far villages, that was what happened, As for the shooting that is a fake report, I do not have that report on my table.”

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