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The country's government have obtained the freedom of 100 abducted pupils seized by attackers from a educational institution last month, per reports from a source within the UN and Nigerian press this past Sunday. Yet, the fate of an additional one hundred and sixty-five hostages believed to still be under the control of kidnappers was unknown.

The Incident

In November, 315 people were kidnapped from St Mary’s co-educational boarding school in north-central a Nigerian state, as the nation was gripped by a series of group seizures reminiscent of the infamous 2014 jihadist group kidnapping of schoolgirls in a town in north-east Nigeria.

Approximately fifty escaped soon after, which left 265 believed to be in captivity.

Freedom for Some

The a hundred students are set to be released to state authorities this Monday, stated by the source.

“They are going to be handed over to Niger state government tomorrow,” the individual informed a news agency.

Local media also confirmed that the release of the hostages had been obtained, though they lacked information on if it was achieved via talks or military force, and no details on the fate of the remaining students and staff.

The release of the youngsters was verified to the press by a government spokesperson Sunday Dare.

Response

“We've been hoping and praying for their return, if this is confirmed then it is wonderful development,” said a representative, spokesman for the local diocese of the religious authority which manages the school.

“However, we are not officially aware and have not been duly notified by the government.”

Wider Crisis

Though abductions for money are widespread in the nation as a means for criminals and armed groups to make quick cash, in a spate of mass abductions in last month, hundreds were abducted, casting an uncomfortable focus on the country's already grim law and order crisis.

The country confronts a long-running jihadist insurgency in the northeastern region, while armed bandit gangs conduct kidnappings and raid villages in the northwestern region, and clashes between farmers and herders over diminishing resources continue in the central belt.

Furthermore, armed groups associated with separatist movements also are active in the country’s unsettled southeastern region.

The Chibok Shadow

A earliest mass kidnappings that drew worldwide outrage was in 2014, when about 300 girls were snatched from their school in the northeastern town of Chibok by the militant group.

Now, Nigeria’s hostage-taking issue has “consolidated into a organized, revenue-generating business” that raised about $1.66 million dollars (£1.24m) between last year, as per a analysis by a Lagos-based research firm.