Two weeks ago, unidentified gunmen broke into a primary school in the village of Kuriga in Kaduna State and kidnapped 232 students, as well as teachers.
"I wish to announce that our Kuriga school children have been released," Sani said on social media, without giving details of how the children were freed.
Sani also expressed gratitude to the Nigerian armed forces for "showing that with courage, determination and commitment, criminal elements can be degraded and security restored in our communities."
The security situation in Nigeria has deteriorated in recent years, with a number of security threats, ranging from the activities of Boko Haram* and other extremist organizations to kidnappings for ransom and criminal looting.
On March 13, media reported that the kidnappers of students from the Kuriga village had demanded a ransom of 1 billion naira (more than $680,700) and threatened to kill all the abducts if their demands were not met.
* A terrorist organization banned in Russia and many other states.