The Nigerian government have started talks with abductors of hundreds of students from Kankara secondary school in Katsina State, Governor Aminu Masari said Monday.

President Muhammadu Buhari Monday in Daura, Katsina State, received ‘more briefing’ from Mr Masari, on the children kidnapped from Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, the presidency has said.

The state government has put the number of kidnapped students at 333, a number the federal authorities dispute.

Mr Buhari, who is currently on a private visit to Katsina, his home state, even before the bandits struck, is yet to visit the school or parents.

A government delegation led by defence minister, Bashir Magashi, had earlier visited the governor, promising that the students would be rescued.

‘Progress’
The presidency on Monday in a statement signed by Garba Shehu, quoted the governor as saying progress is being made in the rescue of the students.

“We are making progress and the outlook is positive,’’ the governor reportedly told reporters after an hour meeting with the president, which started at 2 p.m.

The governor, who was accompanied by the deputy governor of the state, Manir Yakubu, said the kidnappers had made contact and discussions were already on pertaining to the student’s safety and return to their homes.

Governor Masari also noted that security agencies had located the position of the children.

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