Bandits freed 27 abducted students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization.

The remaining 29 abducted students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka Kaduna, have been freed by their abductors on Wednesday.

The abducted students have been in captivity for over two months since their abduction on the 11th of march by bandits. The bandits had earlier released 10 students out of the abducted 39 students, leaving about 29 in captivity.

The newly released students arrived at police headquarters in Kaduna city on Wednesday night looking weak, forlorn, and wearing dirty, torn clothing.

One female student could not walk alone and was carried into the building, while another was rushed to the hospital.

Police did not allow journalists to speak to the students.

Abdullahi Usman, chairman of the parents’ association, said a ransom was paid for the students’ release but refused to say who had paid or how much.

Friday Sanni, a father of two abducted girls, said police had not yet allowed parents to see them. As he waited, he fretted over the fate of his daughters Rejoice, 17, and Victory, 19.

“We pray it is all of them,” he said.

President Muhammadu Buhari released a statement that welcomed the release of 27 students. His office did not respond to questions regarding the discrepancy in the number.

Kaduna police spokesman Mohammed Jalige said all remaining students had been released and would undergo medical examination before their release on Thursday.

Samuel Aruwan, the Kaduna state commissioner for internal security, said in a statement that the government rejoiced with the freed students, and called on them to “put the past behind and work hard towards a happier and successful future ahead.”