More than 200 students who were kidnapped in Nigeria have been released

Kaduna Governor Uba Sani said today Sunday that the country's National Security Adviser coordinated the release of the children. However, he did not give further details.

Sani added: "The Nigerian Army also deserves a special commendation for showing that with courage, determination and dedication, criminals can be eradicated and security restored in our communities".

Students in a classroom in a primary school in northern Nigeria

The kidnapping, which took place on March 7 in the town of Kuriga in northwestern Kaduna State, was the first mass kidnapping in Nigeria since 2021.

Last week, the armed kidnappers demanded a ransom of 1 billion naira ($690,000) for the release of the missing children and workers.

Kidnappings by criminal gangs demanding ransoms, which are not linked to extremist groups, have become part of daily occurrences, especially in northern Nigeria, tearing apart families and communities who are forced to gather their savings to pay the ransom, often by selling land, cows and grain, to ensure their loved ones are released and remain safe.../