Nigeria, March 2 -- As against the 317 quoted by the police, Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, said the number of schoolgirls abducted was 279 and all have been freed.

PREMIUM TIMES had reported how the female students abducted from Government Girls Secondary School, Jangebe, Zamfara State, were freed early Tuesday.

Yusuf Idris, media aide to Governor Matawalle, confirmed the release of the girls to this newspaper.

The official said 279 schoolgirls were released around 4:00 a.m. on Tuesday. He said the girls were currently at the Zamfara Government House waiting to be reunited with their parents.

PREMIUM TIMES had reported how the students were abducted early Friday amidst the worsening security situation across Nigeria.

The a...