Some 15 people kidnapped by bandits who struck at an Islamic school in Tegina are said to have escaped their abductors while their drunk guards slept.
The escapees are said to be some adults abducted alongside the 156 pupils of Salihu Tanko Islamic School in late May.
Sources in the area said the victims after their kidnap were separated from the children and taken to a forest in Zamfara state.
It was however gathered that the victims tactically opened the door of a house in which they were kept in the forest when their guards fell asleep after drinking.
The escapees went in different directions in order not to fall into the hands of other bandits in the forest.
An escapee who got to Tegina first informed the people, prompting Niger state government to begin working toward assisting other victims.
The escapee is said to be hospitalised for treatment.
Further information revealed that three other victims among the escapees arrived Tegina in the early hours of Sunday, while one of them who was rescued was brought to Minna where he is receiving treatment.
Other escapees are in Zaria, it has since been learnt.
Meanwhile, the security operatives and the vice chairman of Kagara local government were said to have been sent to the Tegina-Birnin Gwari road to await the arrival of the remaining 10 escapees.
The source said they would be brought to Minna for proper attention.
The news of the escapees raises hope that the 156 children also picked by the bandits will soon regain their freedom.
In a related development, it was gathered that there was an attempt by the bandits on Saturday which was resisted by the residents.
