In two separate incidents of relief, 50 of the abducted Niger schoolgirls and 38 Kwara worshippers abducted by gunmen have regained their freedom.
50 of the schoolgirls abducted from St. Mary Private Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State, have escaped from captivity and reunited with their parents.
The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Niger State and Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, Most Rev. Bulus Yohanna, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday through his media aide, Daniel Atori.
According to him, 236 pupils are still in captivity, including three children of staff members and 14 secondary school students, bringing the number of students still held to 253, alongside 12 staff members.
Separately, 38 worshippers abducted last Tuesday from the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Isegun, Eruku, in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, have regained their freedom.
The victims were released on Sunday afternoon following a sustained joint operation by security agencies deployed immediately after the attack.
The hostages regained freedom days after security agencies launched an intensive operation involving soldiers, DSS operatives, Special Tactical Squad units, SWAT personnel, anti-kidnapping operatives and local vigilantes.
Confirming the development, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, said multiple security agencies, including the DSS, the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Intelligence Agency and the Police, which deployed four new tactical teams, coordinated the rescue operation.
The governor also expressed gratitude to multiple security institutions whose coordinated efforts led to the safe release of the abductees.
He further thanked community leaders, religious institutions, and residents for their support during the crisis.
Also confirming the development, the Secretary of CAC Oke Isegun, Elder Michael Agbabiaka, explained that the DSS contacted the community around 4pm to inform them that the captives had been freed.
The PUNCH