Schoolgirls kidnapped last week in Nigeria reunite with thier families

Hundreds of schoolgirls kidnapped last week from a school in northwestern Nigeria were reunited with their families on Wednesday.

The girls, aged 10 and over, were brought back to the Government Girls Secondary School in Jangebe, from where they were abducted.

Abdullahi Anka spoke of his relief at seeing his daughters again, but said he’d only found two of his three girls so far.

“I’m happy, I’m happy,” he said. “The daughters had been kidnapped and taken away, and today’s a day I see (them) with my naked eyes.”

Zamfara state Governor Bello Matawalle said that 279 girls were freed Tuesday.

The government last week said 317 had been kidnapped. It was not clear if the higher number was an error or if some girls were still missing.

Officials said “bandits” were behind the abduction, referring to the groups of armed men who operate in Zamfara state and kidnap for money or to push for the release of their members from jail.

On Wednesday, parents could be seen scrambling to enter the school building to find their daughters.

But some were angry because local officials had been speaking at the school, meaning they couldn’t be reunited sooner.

They said they were eager to get home safely before nightfall.