A total of 100 schoolchildren abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Niger state, Nigeria, were released over the weekend and hosted at a government ceremony on Monday, appearing relieved but disoriented.

At least 303 children and 12 teachers were seized on Nov. 21, with 50 escaping and about 150 still in captivity.

Details of the release, including whether a ransom was paid, were not disclosed, and the children had been in Abuja before returning to Minna for health checks and reunification with families.

President Bola Tinubu praised security forces for their efforts and vowed to continue working to free all remaining hostages, amid a wave of similar kidnappings across northern Nigeria, ABC News has reported.

No group has claimed responsibility, but armed gangs are widely blamed, and analysts note that ransoms are often paid quietly in such cases.