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Nigerian students' fate uncertain as head denies they have been released Nigerian students' fate uncertain as head denies they have been released
(about 4 hours later)
The fate of more than 100 girls and young women abducted by Islamic extremists was thrown into uncertainty when their school's headteacher denied a report from Nigeria's military that almost all the students were free.The fate of more than 100 girls and young women abducted by Islamic extremists was thrown into uncertainty when their school's headteacher denied a report from Nigeria's military that almost all the students were free.
"Up till now we are still waiting and praying for the safe return of the students," the headteacher, Asabe Kwambura, said on Thursday. "The security people, especially the vigilantes and the well-meaning volunteers of Gwoza are still out searching for them. The military people too are in the bush searching." "Up until now we are still waiting and praying for the safe return of the students," the headteacher, Asabe Kwambura, said on Thursday. "The security people, especially the vigilantes and the well-meaning volunteers of Gwoza are still out searching for them. The military people too are in the bush searching."
She said only 14 of the 129 girls kidnapped by gunmen before dawn on Tuesday had returned to Chibok town – four who jumped from the back of a lorry and 10 who escaped into the bush when their abductors asked them to cook a meal.She said only 14 of the 129 girls kidnapped by gunmen before dawn on Tuesday had returned to Chibok town – four who jumped from the back of a lorry and 10 who escaped into the bush when their abductors asked them to cook a meal.
Major General Chris Olukolade, a defence ministry spokesman, said in a statement late on Wednesday night that all but eight of the students had been accounted for. "The others have been freed this evening," he said.Major General Chris Olukolade, a defence ministry spokesman, said in a statement late on Wednesday night that all but eight of the students had been accounted for. "The others have been freed this evening," he said.
Olukolade could not immediately be reached for further comment.Olukolade could not immediately be reached for further comment.
Kwambura was adamant: "So let it be clear that all the information passed on to the media by the military concerning 107 girls is not true."Kwambura was adamant: "So let it be clear that all the information passed on to the media by the military concerning 107 girls is not true."
The Borno state governor, Kashim Shettima, offered a reward of about £180,000 for information leading to the release of the young women, aged between 16 and 18.The Borno state governor, Kashim Shettima, offered a reward of about £180,000 for information leading to the release of the young women, aged between 16 and 18.
The government had reported that security forces were in hot pursuit of the militants.The government had reported that security forces were in hot pursuit of the militants.
The Boko Haram extremist network has been on a rampage this week, blamed for four attacks in three days that started with a massive explosion at a busy bus station during the Monday morning rush hour in Abuja, the capital, that killed at least 75 people.The Boko Haram extremist network has been on a rampage this week, blamed for four attacks in three days that started with a massive explosion at a busy bus station during the Monday morning rush hour in Abuja, the capital, that killed at least 75 people.
Two attacks in north-eastern villages killed 20 people on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.Two attacks in north-eastern villages killed 20 people on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.
More than 1,500 people have been killed this year, compared with an estimated 3,600 between 2010 and 2013.More than 1,500 people have been killed this year, compared with an estimated 3,600 between 2010 and 2013.
The attacks undermine government and military claims that security forces are containing the uprising that began five years ago in the extreme north-east of the country.The attacks undermine government and military claims that security forces are containing the uprising that began five years ago in the extreme north-east of the country.