There was jubilation at Niger State government house after about 90 rescued students of Salihu Tanko Islamic school in Tegina reunited with their families on Friday. The school children, who were taken captive on May 30 by bandits, spent nearly three months with their abductors. The children were officially received by Governor Abubakar Sani Bello. A joyous Ali Gimi, whose five children were among those kidnapped, said "Today is the happiest and most joyful day for me and my family," "We had lost our joy and happiness. This is like a dream after I had started losing hope," he said. "As I am speaking to you, the whole of our family has gathered at my house to celebrate their safe return."
Authorities say 136 children were initially seized at the school, though some later escaped. One, a five-year-old boy, died during captivity. The kidnappers had initially said six had died, but this proved to be a lie to scare parents into paying the ransom.
One of the children, Ahmed Mohammed, while speaking to journalists, said they suffered a great deal in the hands of their abductors, "They tied us up from morning till evening," Mohammed recalled.
Bandits on rampage have continued mass kidnappings and senseless attacks on innocent persons across the north of the country.
