The Nigerian government announced on Sunday that a final group of 130 kidnapped schoolchildren from St Marys Catholic school in Niger state were freed, bringing an end to a month-long ordeal that drew global concern. The children, along with their teachers, were abducted on November 7 by unknown gunmen, sparking widespread outrage and calls for action. According to reports, the children were released near Nigeria's border with Benin, with no details released on how they regained their freedom or who was behind the abduction.

The release of the remaining children comes after 50 students escaped shortly after the kidnapping and another 100 were released on December 7. The presidential spokesperson, Sunday Dare, confirmed the release on social media platform X, stating, "Another 130 abducted Niger state pupils released, none left in captivity." The news has been met with relief and gratitude from the families of the released children, who are eagerly awaiting their reunion.

The kidnapping of the schoolchildren was a shocking incident that highlighted the growing insecurity in Nigeria's Niger state. The region has been plagued by armed banditry and kidnappings, with many schools and communities affected. The incident drew international attention, with the United Nations and other global organizations calling for the release of the children.

The release of the children has been hailed as a positive development, but many are still seeking answers on how the kidnappers were able to carry out the abduction and how the children were eventually freed. "This is a welcome development, but we still need to know what happened during the kidnapping and how the children were released," said a spokesperson for the Nigerian government. "We will continue to work to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice."

The incident has also raised questions about the safety and security of schools in Nigeria. Many schools in the region have been forced to close due to the insecurity, leaving thousands of students without access to education. The Nigerian government has promised to increase security measures in schools and communities, but many are still skeptical about the effectiveness of these measures.

The released children are expected to be reunited with their families on Monday, marking the end of a month-long ordeal. The reunion is a moment of relief and joy for the families, who have been waiting anxiously for news of their loved ones. As the children return home, many are still grappling with the trauma and emotional impact of the kidnapping.