The students were released after their parents paid a $ 140,000 (70 million naires) ransom and gave motorcycles in ransom to the kidnappers, according to the school’s principal, Abubakar Alhassan.
Addressing reporters after the children regained their freedom, Alhassan said the money was raised after Nigerians from different sectors provided funds to secure their freedom.
“The government has contributed, individuals have contributed, imams, pastors as well. Even I have received a call from TB Joshua, he is a Christian, but he has contributed,” Alhassan said.
However, a spokeswoman for the Niger State government, Mary Noel-Berje, said authorities were not part of negotiations with the kidnappers.
“The parents (of the abducted students) negotiated with the kidnappers, knowing that the government was not prepared to be part of the rescue (negotiations),” Mary Noel-Berje told CNN.
About 136 students at Salihu Tanko Islamic School in Tegina were taken at gunpoint in May, the principal told CNN at the time.
The Niger State government, however, clarified in a statement on Friday that “a total of 91 children and two passers-by were abducted, 92 of whom regained their freedom, but unfortunately lost one of the children.”
The statement added that the released students appeared “weak and malnourished” and that some will “require more medical attention” before reuniting with their families.
Cheerful meeting
Hauwa’u Isa, whose seven children were released, told CNN, “I can’t find a word to express the pleasure I’m in today. For the past 88 days, I’ve been praying not to die without seeing my children. “.
Another parent, Fatima Adamu, said she almost gave up hope of seeing her five-year-old son kidnapped again.
“I was almost giving up on seeing my son again … but I thank God because I’m going home with him today,” he told CNN.
Rescue kidnapping remains a major security challenge in Nigeria.
Since December, hundreds of students have been abducted in various incidents in the northern part of the country.
The Niger State government said the series of kidnappings “has largely discouraged parents from sending their children to school”.
Dozens of schools have been closed in the northern region of Nigeria to prevent further attacks on academic institutions that are considered vulnerable.