In a dramatic turn of events, Nigerian authorities have announced the successful rescue of hundreds of pupils who were abducted earlier this month in the north-western town of Kuriga. The students, taken by gunmen during a mass abduction, have been released unharmed, according to officials.

Kaduna state governor Uba Sani praised the courage of the security forces, attributing the successful rescue to their efforts. The operation, which took place in the early hours of Sunday morning, freed 137 hostages, as reported by the army.

Initially, the school authorities had stated that over 280 children were taken, highlighting a discrepancy in the numbers. Despite this, the joy of their safe return overshadows such discrepancies.

Tragically, it was revealed that one of the teachers taken from Kuriga had died in captivity. The group endured 17 days of captivity, held by kidnappers known as bandits, who have been active in the region in recent years.

This mass abduction is one of several to have rocked parts of northern Nigeria this month, despite a decrease in such attacks over the past year. The victims, usually freed after ransom payments, faced a similar fate, with the kidnappers demanding a sum of $690,000 for their release. However, the government had stood firm, refusing to negotiate or pay any ransom.

President Bola Tinubu expressed relief at the news, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between the government and state authorities, particularly in matters of security.

The rescued students, consisting of 76 girls and 61 boys, were found in Zamfara state, bordering Kaduna to the north-west. They were discovered in a forest and are currently undergoing medical evaluations before reuniting with their families.

This incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenge of insecurity in Nigeria, with criminal gangs exploiting kidnapping for financial gain. Despite legislative efforts to deter ransom payments, the issue persists, leaving communities vulnerable and authorities grappling for solutions.

In a separate development, the army also announced the rescue of 17 students and a woman kidnapped from a school in Sokoto, underscoring the widespread nature of the threat and the ongoing efforts to combat it.

The successful rescue operation brings hope to affected communities but also underscores the need for sustained efforts to address the root causes of insecurity in the region.