A wave of relief swept through Minna today as the Niger State governor, Umar Bago formally received approximately 100 schoolchildren who were kidnapped from a Catholic school last month.
The children were officially handed over to state government officials, just a day after authorities successfully secured their release.
The students, who had endured a terrifying ordeal, arrived at the Niger State Government House in a convoy of white buses, heavily escorted by a dozen military vans and armoured vehicles. Many of the boys were wearing football jerseys, while the girls were dressed in long robes.
“Welcome,” state governor Umar Bago said as he shook hands with some of the children and led them into a hall where the emir and local officials were seated to receive them.
The group of 100 children represents only a portion of those affected by the initial raid on the school in the remote rural Papiri village. The total number of students and staff abducted from the north-central Niger state institution was 315. Shortly after the raid, 50 others managed to escape, meaning dozens of students and staff are still missing.
According to a list of the released children, most of those freed are aged between 10 and 17 years. The school, however, catered for children as young as nursery school age.
It remains unclear who seized the children from their boarding school or the exact circumstances surrounding the secured release of the 100 individuals. While kidnappings for ransom are common as a way for criminals and armed groups to make quick cash, a spate of mass abductions in November put an uncomfortable spotlight on Nigeria’s already grim security situation, prompting increased government action.
