"Over 300 Abducted Nigerian Schoolchildren Freed from Captivity"

Nearly 300 schoolchildren abducted in northwest Nigeria have been freed after over two weeks in captivity, with at least 100 of them aged 12 or younger. The release follows a series of kidnappings in the country's northwestern and central regions, where armed groups often target villagers and travelers for ransom. While no group has claimed responsibility for the abduction, it is believed to be the work of bandit groups known for mass killings and kidnappings in the conflict-battered northern region. The Nigerian president and security forces have been thanked for their efforts in securing the release of the students.