Dozens of kidnapped students in Nigeria freed

Gunmen in northwest Nigeria's Kebbi state have freed dozens of students and a teacher after seven months of captivity.

Thirty students of Federal Government College and one teacher have arrived in Birnin Kebbi "following their release," Yahaya Sarki, a spokesman for the Kebbi state governor, said late Saturday.

"They shall undergo medical screening and support while being reunited with their families," he added in a statement.

It was unclear if ransom was paid for the release of the students or if any others were still in captivity.

The incident evoked memories of Boko Haram's 2014 kidnapping of more than 270 schoolgirls in the northeastern town of Chibok.

More than 1 400 children were abducted in Nigeria last year according to the United Nations, mostly during attacks on schools and colleges by gunmen known locally as "bandits".

Students are often quickly released after ransom payments but 200 were still missing in September, the UN added.