Nearly 300 schoolchildren abducted from a school in northwestern Nigeria have been released after more than two weeks in captivity.

The students were seized from their school in Kaduna state on March 7th and taken into the surrounding forests.

This is the latest in a string of kidnappings targeting schools in Nigeria. Since 2014, over 1,400 students have been abducted, with many incidents concentrated in the northwestern and central regions. Armed groups in these areas frequently target villagers and travelers for ransom.

While details surrounding the release of the students remain unclear, Governor Uba Sani thanked President Bola Tinubu for "ensuring that the abducted school children are released unharmed."  Tinubu had previously vowed a zero-ransom policy for such kidnappings, but ransoms are often paid by families in these cases. No group has claimed responsibility for the abduction.

Locals suspect bandit groups known for violence and kidnappings in the region may be responsible. Experts say the identity of the abductors is likely known, but arrests are rare in such cases. Students are typically released after ransoms are paid or deals are struck with authorities.

Governor Sani commended Nigerian security forces for their role in securing the students' release. He credits sleepless nights spent strategizing with officials for the "successful outcome." (ILKHA)