The 137 students kidnapped on March 7 by armed gangs in northwest Nigeria and released on Sunday must return to their homes this Thursday, March 28 after receiving care and being reunited with their loved ones, announced a spokesman for the local governor.
The children, from the Kuriga sector, underwent medical examinations in the regional capital, Kaduna, where they were reunited with their loved ones. “It was extremely emotional,” said a spokesman, Muhammad Shehu, adding that the children were due to return home on Thursday.
More and more kidnappings
On March 7, dozens of armed men stormed a school in Kuriga and forcibly took away the students and this adult.
Initial estimates reported more than 280 students kidnapped, before the number of victims was reduced to 137 boys, 76 girls and 61 boys. Nigeria, which is experiencing its worst economic crisis in 30 years, is facing a rise in kidnappings for ransom.
Officially, the payment of ransoms is prohibited since a law adopted in 2022 and the authorities deny any payment when hostages are released after negotiations with the kidnappers.
Source: BFM TV
