ABUJA, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Nigerian government on Sunday confirmed that all remaining schoolchildren and staff held hostage by suspected terrorists following an attack on a school in the central state of Niger last month have regained their freedom.
"Another 130 Abducted Niger State Pupils Released, None Left In Captivity," Sunday Dare, a spokesman for Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, said on X, without giving details.
More than 300 students and teachers were kidnapped following the attack on the St. Mary's Catholic School in the Papiri area of Niger on Nov. 21. Earlier, security forces had rescued at least 51 students a few days after the incident, while continuing efforts to rescue other victims.
On Dec. 8, Tinubu announced that at least 100 schoolchildren were further rescued, reassuring parents that the government will continue efforts to reunite all the kidnapped students with their families. He also stated that he has directed security forces to rescue all remaining abducted students and other Nigerians across the country and bring them home safely. ■