But, the agency however expressed that it would be more exciting if the abducted schoolgirls of Girls’ Secondary School Jangebe in Zamfara State are released faster and safer too.

Recall that the the abducted students and teachers of Government Science College, Kagara, in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State were released on Saturday morning, but it was uncertain if the ransom was paid for their release or not.

This was contained in a statement on Saturday by the Unicef Nigeria Representative, Peter Hawkins.

Commenting on the attack, the UN agency said that children do not deserve such violent attacks, at least not in their schools where they should feel safer.

Hawkins said: “I am relieved to receive the long-awaited news of the release of 27 students of the Government Science College in Kagara abducted from their school over a week ago and I look forward to their safe return to their families.

“As the freed students return to their families, I commiserate with the family of their fallen school mate, Benjamin Habila, who was shot dead during the overnight attack on the school. My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Benjamin, who has suffered a huge loss.

“The Kagara school attack – like that of Government Girls’ Secondary School Jangebe in Zamfara State Friday, and others before it shouldn’t have happened in the first place because children shouldn’t be the target of attacks, least of all in a place they ought to feel safe – a school.

“Attacks on educational facilities are a grave violation of children’s rights. Children should never be the target of the attack, and yet, far too often in Nigeria, they are precisely that, victims of attacks on their schools.

“Such attacks not only negate the right of children to an education, but they also make children fearful of going to school, and parents afraid to send their children to school. Schools must be safe places to study and develop, and learning should not become a perilous endeavour.”

“As we welcome the news of the release of the abducted Kagara students, I urge the government to expedite action on the release and safe return of the kidnapped students of Government Girls Secondary School Jangebe, and all abducted school children yet to be released.”

The president, expressed his gratitude for the release of the abductees in a statement by his spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Saturday.

According to the statement, the President commended the nation’s security and intelligence agencies and the government of Niger state for their responses in securing the release.

“We are happy they have been released,” he said.

Buhari also greatly sympathised with the staff and the students, their parents and friends on this ordeal.

He, however, warned that the country would not continue to suffer these attacks that threaten the growth of education, the security and life of the future leaders at the same time putting the nation in a negative light.

The president reiterated his earlier advice to school owners, particularly the state and local governments as well as religious organisations to scale up security around their schools.

He said this should be in line with the standards laid down by the UN-backed Safe School Programme of the administration.

Recall that the bandits, dressed in military uniforms, stormed the school on February 17  and abducted 27 students, 12 relatives and 3 staff members.

Their relatives and staff also taken are now out of captivity. They all regained freedom Saturday morning.

It was uncertain if ransom was paid for their release, but it was gathered that the victims were taken to the Government House in Minna.

The bandits had threatened to hold them as long as they wished if the government failed to meet their demands.

Meanwhile, over 317 schoolgirls were abducted yesterday, February 26 at the Government Girls Secondary school in Jangebe, in Talata-Mafara Local Government area of Zamfara State.