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Nigeria: 48 children released after ransom payment
A criminal gang has released 48 children, aged 7 to 12, in central Nigeria following the payment of a ransom. The release was confirmed by local traditional leader Abdullahi Sahonrami and a United Nations source.
The incident involved a complex double kidnapping. On August 5, a group of 54 children was initially abducted while harvesting peanuts near Sabon Rijiya. They were held for three days in the Zugurma reserve within Kainji Lake National Park before being released by an initial gang without a ransom demand. However, during their return journey, the children were intercepted and re-kidnapped by a second gang with alleged links to the Ansaru jihadist group.
Of the original 54 children, one girl died while in the custody of the first gang, and five others escaped during the second abduction, leaving 48 children in captivity. The release of the remaining children occurred in two stages: 40 were freed on a Tuesday night, and the final eight were released on Wednesday.
Entities
Abdullahi Sahonrami · Ansaru · Kainji Lake National Park · Niger State · United Nations
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 5 SOURCES] Forty children were released on Tuesday night and eight more were released on Wednesday following a ransom payment. lesoleil.sn · www.excelsior.com.mx · www.tvn-2.com · www.businessdaily.gr · www.ertnews.gr
- [● 5 SOURCES] A total of 54 children were initially taken, but one child died and five escaped, leaving 48 in captivity. lesoleil.sn · www.excelsior.com.mx · www.tvn-2.com · www.businessdaily.gr · www.ertnews.gr
- [● 5 SOURCES] The original group of 54 children was abducted on August 5 while harvesting peanuts near Sabon Rijiya. lesoleil.sn · www.excelsior.com.mx · www.tvn-2.com · www.businessdaily.gr · www.ertnews.gr
- [● 5 SOURCES] After being released by an initial gang, the children were re-kidnapped by a second gang linked to the Ansaru jihadist group. lesoleil.sn · www.excelsior.com.mx · www.tvn-2.com · www.businessdaily.gr · www.ertnews.gr
- [● 5 SOURCES] The second kidnapping occurred while the children were returning home from being released by a first gang. lesoleil.sn · www.businessdaily.gr · www.ertnews.gr · www.excelsior.com.mx · www.tvn-2.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] The abducted children were between the ages of 7 and 12. lesoleil.sn · www.businessdaily.gr · www.ertnews.gr · www.excelsior.com.mx · www.tvn-2.com