Scores of schoolchildren abducted from Kuriga, Kaduna have been released, two weeks after they were taken away.

The students, about 287, were kidnapped when the gunmen on motorcycles rode through their school, taking them away in an incident that sparked national outrage and condemnation.

But weeks the gunman locally known as bandits seized them, the schoolchildren mostly between 8 and 15 years old, regained their freedom.

“In the name of Allah the Beneficient, the Most Merciful, I wish to announce that our Kuriga school children have been released,” Kaduna State governor Uba Sani said in an early Sunday statement.

He thanked President Bola Tinubu, government officials and security agencies for their role in the students’ freedom.

“While the school children were in captivity, I spoke with Mr. President several times,” he said. “He shared our pains, comforted us and worked round the clock with us to ensure the safe return of the children.” (Text, excluding headline: Channels TV)