The Government of Nigeria's north central state of Niger, has received the 47 hostages who were abducted by Bandits from the all-boys science secondary school in Kagara local government area of the state.

The freed captives arrived at the state government house on Saturday amid heavy security presence as parents and relatives waited to welcome their loved ones.

While the 27 students, administrative staff and their spouses re-united with their families, the country still mourns the death of seven air force officers, who died last week, as they took off from the Abuja Airport on a reconnaissance mission on the safe rescue of the now – freed hostages.

Meanwhile, Zamfara state government says measures are being put in place to ensure the return of the three hundred and seventeen (317) school girls abducted by gunmen in the state early hours of Friday.

WADR’s Usman Umar in Abuja has more.