Dozens of pupils freed in northern Nigeria after 3 months

Dozens of young children held captive by gunmen for three months in northern Nigeria are awaiting reunions with their family members after being freed and taken to the capital of Niger state

MINNA, Nigeria -- Dozens of young children held captive by gunmen for three months in northern Nigeria awaited reunions with their family members Friday after being freed and taken to the state capital. Girls as young as five draped in long hijabs and boys wearing new dress clothes stepped off a white minibus and filed past photographers in Minna, the capital of Niger state. Their arrival came hours after news of their release came from the school's head teacher. The children were served meals and greeted by Niger state Gov. Abubakar Sani Bello. It was not immediately known how many students had been released; authorities previously said 136 had been taken along with several teachers. Local media though have reported that as many as six children may have died in captivity due to the harsh conditions.