Nigeria Says 100 Schoolchildren Kidnapped By Militants Have Been Released

In mid-November, gunmen attacked St. Mary's Catholic School in Niger State.

The Nigerian government has secured the release of one hundred schoolchildren kidnapped in November in Niger state in an attack on a Catholic school, local Channels Television reported.

The Christian Organization of the Country (CAN) and Niger state authorities have not been officially notified of the children's release, CNN reports.

"We are not officially aware of this and have not been properly notified by the federal government. We hope and pray that it is true and look forward to the release of the others," said Daniel Atori, spokesman for CAN's Niger state chapter.

A spokesman for the state governor, Bologi Ibrahim, told reporters that Niger authorities were awaiting confirmation of the information from federal authorities, The Nation reports.

In mid-November, gunmen attacked St. Mary's Catholic School in Niger state and kidnapped 215 students and 12 teachers. Police deployed military personnel to the scene. Authorities said the school resumed classes without notice despite intelligence warnings of a heightened threat.

According to the Associated Press, the incident was part of a series of recent attacks. Militants had earlier kidnapped 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi state, while in Kwara state, they took 38 churchgoers hostage and killed two. The kidnappers demanded a ransom of about $69,000 for each captive.

The publication notes that analysts attribute the wave of attacks to gangs that engage in mass kidnappings for ransom. Their targets are most often schools and rural areas. No organization has claimed responsibility.

With this background, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency in the country and ordered additional recruitment of personnel in the armed forces and police.

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