Parents and kin of those students who were taken captives by gunmen in Oromia regional state in western Ethiopia said they have not seen or heard anything about their children even though the government announced the release of 21.

The parents and families of the hostages have been expressing concern over the well-being of their children on various media outlets despite the announcements by the Prime Minister Press Secretariat that the captives were released and are healthy and safe.

The parents complained that they have not received any calls from their children. And, so far, the government is unwilling to disclose the whereabouts of the students.

The students were held captives while going back to their homes in Amhara state from Dembi Dolo University, which was closed due to ethnic-based clashes mainly between Oromo and Amhara students.