137 School Children Kidnapped By Nigerian Art Groups Have Been Released

JAKARTA - 137 school children kidnapped by armed gangs in Nigeria have been released earlier this month.

The governor of the state of Kaduna, Nigeria, Uda Sani in an interview broadcast on Nigeria television, said the hundreds of school children had returned to their families.

"I'm happy, the families are happy, we are all happy that the children have been rescued," he told the television station as reported by CNN, Monday, May 25.

On March 7, more than 300 students were kidnapped by armed groups on motorbikes that stormed the LEA Elementary and Middle Schools in Kuriga village, in Chikun district, Kaduna.

Kaduna, which borders the Nigerian capital, Abuja is facing a kidnapping case to seek ransom in recent years.

gunmen previously demanded a ransom of 1 billion Naira (USD 620,000) and threatened to kill all students if their demands were not met.

Nigerian National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu coordinated the operation of the security agency, which in the end yielded successful results, Sani said.

"The Nigerian Army also deserves special praise for showing that with courage, determination and commitment, criminal elements can be reduced and security restored in our community," Sani said.