Renowned Islamic scholar, Sheik Ahmed Gumi, has assured Niger abductees will be released soon.

He spoke after meetings with bandits in forests between Tegina and Birnin gwari in Kaduna state.

A source within the delegation at the meeting, said Sheikh Gumi met with the bandits leader, Dogo Gide, among other top Commanders at Dutsen Magaji Forest.

The source disclosed that government also sent a strong delegation to meet with the bandits and dialogue with them

The source further said Sheikh Gumi and his entourage are on their way back to Minna.

Meanwhile, it was learnt on Thursday that a security team dispatched to Niger State from Abuja had through air surveillance detected the location of abductees from Kagara and 18 passengers of the state transport service, who were kidnapped at Yakila village also in the Rafi LGA on Sunday.

A top security source, who confided in The PUNCH, said the kidnappers of the students and the passengers belong to the same gang.

He said the two groups of abductees were being kept close to each other in Kotonkoro forest in Niger State, but close Zamfara State, adding that security forces had cornered the bandits.

•Based on reports by The Nation and The PUNCH.

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