Nigeria school kidnappings: 'Relief' as 44 abducted children and teachers freed - BBC News

"I feel happy and elated… I feel joy," the head of the local teachers' union tells the BBC.

Image source, John Alabi / BBCImage caption, "No teacher should die at work," said a banner a recent protest in Oyo state

Nigeria's military says it has freed all 44 pupils and teachers who were abducted two months ago from schools in the southern state of Oyo, and arrested some of their captors.

A local teachers' union has told the BBC of its "relief" - but families say the ordeal has been harrowing and they are still waiting to be reunited with their loved ones.

The military said that several soldiers died in the rescue mission.

The freed captives are currently receiving medical treatment at an undisclosed hospital and will return home at a later date, army spokesman Danjuma Jonah Danjuma said in a statement issued on Friday evening.