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Nigeria: principal denies kidnapped students free

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AP) — The principal of a northeastern Nigerian school said she cannot confirm a military report that more than 100 female students kidnapped by Islamic militants are free.

Asabe Kwambura tells The Associated Press that only 14 of the 129 abducted students have returned to Chibok town in Borno state, with the rest still missing.

Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade said Wednesday night that all but eight of the students were free.

Kwambura said Thursday that security forces and civilian volunteers are searching the bush for the students kidnapped before dawn Tuesday and that the military statement "is not true."

The conflicting statements could not immediately be reconciled.

Boko Haram extremists have staged four attacks in three days including an explosion in the capital that killed at least 175 people.