At least 137 children released by abductors in Nigeria

In Nigeria, at least 137 of nearly 300 abducted children in the northwestern state of Kaduna were released on Sunday after over two weeks in captivity. The West African nation’s military disclosed this. Earlier a government statement had suggested that all the students were freed.

The children were abducted by gunmen from the Kuriga school on 7th March and taken into the forests. School authorities said a total of 287 students were kidnapped during the attack, with at least 100 of them aged 12 or younger.

Nigerian military spokesman Major General Edward Buba said in a statement, the 137 children were rescued in Zamfara state, an enclave known for kidnappings. He said, efforts would continue until other hostages are



found and the terrorists arrested, tried, and brought to justice by Nigerian law. 

According to a statement by the Sokoto state government, at least 17 other schoolchildren in northern Sokoto state were also rescued two weeks after they were taken hostage.

Kaduna state Governor, Uba Sani, who first announced the rescue, did not give details about the operation.

Under growing pressure to end the mass kidnappings in northern Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu has promised that his administration is deploying detailed strategies to ensure that our schools remain safe sanctuaries of learning, not lairs for wanton abductions.