Dozens of children kidnapped by gunmen this month have been released as their captors cracked under military pressure, according to a Nigerian state official.
A spokesman for the Zamfara state governor said no ransom had been paid for the 75 children and that the governor received them at his headquarters, Reuters reported on Monday. The representative, who was not identified, did not say when the children had been freed.
US CALLS FOR HALT TO ATTACKS AGAINST REFUGEES AS HUMANITARIAN CRISIS WORSENS IN TIGRAY
The children were kidnapped from their school in Nigeria’s northwestern Zamfara on Sept. 1 and were being held for ransom by their captors. Authorities ordered a phone and internet blackout in Zamfara on Sept. 3 while security forces cracked down on gangs who they say have abducted more than 1,100 children since December.
Several Nigerian media outlets reported since Sunday night that bandits attacked a military base and killed 12 soldiers. Maj. Gen. Benjamin Sawyerr, a defense spokesman, did not deny or confirm the reports when asked for comment.
“Operations are ongoing in that area, and there is total shutdown of communications,” Sawyerr said. “Our troops are consolidating on successes recorded so far. Information on ongoing operations will be premature at this stage.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Seven other children in the state of Kebbi were rescued on June 19, and one child was found dead, according to the report.
