About 100 children kidnapped from St Mary's Catholic School in Niger state, Nigeria, last month have been set free. Niger state's police chief Adamu Abdullahi Elleman and Bishop Bulus Dauwa Yohanna confirmed the release to the BBC. The government's Office of the National Security Adviser said the children would be reunited with their parents starting Monday. Originally, more than 250 students and 12 staff were taken in the mass abduction at Papiri. Details about how the release was secured, whether by negotiation or force, or if ransoms were paid, remain unclear. Nasarawa state's governor, Abdullahi Sule, said the federal government played a key but undisclosed role in freeing the children. Earlier attacks have targeted schools and places of worship across northern and central Nigeria. Kidnappings in November included 38 abducted from a church in Kwara state and 25 Muslim students from Kebbi state; all were later freed. Recent abductions also hit a church in Kogi state and a wedding party in Sokoto state. Though criminal gangs are believed behind these kidnappings, Nigerian officials suggest jihadist groups may be involved. Paying ransoms has been banned but reportedly still happens. The crisis captured global attention after US President Donald Trump threatened troop deployment if attacks continued against Christians—a claim disputed by Nigerian officials, who say all faiths are affected by the violence.