Timnas dikandang Unggul ditandang lumat Vietnam Tiada Ampun - Kualifikasi Piala Dunia 2026

Pemain Timnas Indonesia, Jay Idzes melakukan selebrasi setelah mencetak gol ke gawang Timnas Vietnam pada laga Grup F Kualifikasi Piala Dunia 2026 di My Dinh Stadium, Vietnam, Selasa (26/03/2024). (Dok.PSSI)

Timnas Indonesia datang ke Vietnam dengan membawa keunggulan 1 gol, di Stadion My Dinh, Hanoi, hari Selasa, 26/03/2024, berhasil melumat Vietnam 3-0 tiada ampun, hasil ini membuat Timnas Indonesia memantapkan posisi kedua klasemen Kualifikasi Piala Dunia 2026 Grup F.

3 gol bersarang digawang Vietnam, dua goal dicetak Jay Idzes dan Ragnar Oratmangoen pada babak pertama. Pada paruh kedua, Ramadhan Sananta menambah keunggulan Indonesia di injury time.

Pada menit pertama, Indonesia langsung menekan pertahanan Vietnam. Gol pertama hadir pada menit ke-8 Jay Idzes berhasil membobol gawang Filip Nguyen lewat sundulan kepala setelah sukses menerima umpan Thom Haye tendakan pojok.

Indonesia berkali-kali menekan Vietnam. Gol kedua berhasil tercipta lewat Ragnar Oratmangoen yang melakukan tusukan dan melepaskan sepekan kaki kiri yang tak mampu ditahan Filip Nguyen.

Setelah gol kedua, Vietnam keluar untuk menyerang. Berkali-kali pertahanan Indonesia dibombardir namun berhasil diredam Ernando Ari. Babak pertama ditutup dengan kedudukan 0-2.

Memasuki babak kedua, Shin Tae-yong melakukan pergantian pemain dengan memasukan Egy Maulana Vikri dan Yacob Sayuri menggantikan Hokky Caraka dan Asnawi. Berkali-kali Vietnam melancarkan serangan namun berhasil dipatahkan Justin Hubner maupun Nathan Tjoe-A-On.

Kesempatan Indonesia menambah keunggulan datang pada menit ke 65 saat Ragnar lepas dari kawalan pemain Vietnam. Namun dengan cepat 2 pemain Vietnam menutup pergerakan Ragnar di kotak penalti.

Vietnam terus mengurung pertahanan Indonesia. Pada menit 76, Witan Sulaiman cedera dan harus digantikan dengan Ramadhan Sananta.

Di tengah tekanan Vietnam, Ragnar mendapatkan peluang emas untuk menambah gol. Namun sepakan Ragnar di menit ke 79 masih melambung di atas Filip Nguyen.

Gol akhirnya datang lagi dari Indonesia. Ramadhan Sananta sukses menambah skor menjadi 0-3 pada menit akhir babak kedua yaitu di menit 90+8.

Dengan hasil ini, Indonesia bertahan di posisi kedua Grup F dengan poin 7. Sedangkan Vietnam di posisi ketiga dengan 4 poin dari 3 laga. Bravo Garuda!

Setelah ini, Marselino Ferdinan dkk. giliran menjamu Irak pada 6 Juni dan Filipina pada 11 Juni 2024 di Stadion Utama Gelora Bung Karno, Senayan, Jakarta.

Susunan Pemain:

Vietnam (5-4-1): Filip Nguyen (PG); Bui Tien Dung, Pham Xuann Manh, Phan Tuan Tai, Bui Hoang Viet Anh Vu Van Thanh; Do Hung Dung (C), Nguyen Hoang Duc, Khuat Van Khang, Nguyen Thai Son; Nguyen Tien Linh.

Timnas Indonesia (3-4-3):Ernando Ari (PG); Jay Idzes, Rizky Ridho, Justin Hubner; Asnawi Mangkualam (C), Thom Haye, Marselino Ferdinan, Nathan Tjoe-A-On;Witan Sulaeman, Ragnar Oratmangoen; Hokky Caraka.

Klasemen Kualifikasi Piala Dunia 2026 usai Indonesia kalahkan Vietnam 1. Irak 12 poin 2. Indonesia 7 poin 3. Vietnam 3 poin 4. Filipina 1 poin

US, Britain, Ukraine behind Crocus City Hall attack — FSB chief

Russian Federal Security Service Head Alexander Bortnikov ©Russian Presidential Press and Information Office/Gavriil Grigorov/TASS

The United States, Britain and Ukraine are behind the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall, the chief of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) Alexander Bortnikov has told the media.

"We believe that this is true. In any case, we are now talking about the factual information we have. This is general information, but they have a long record of this sort," he said after participating in an enlarged meeting of the Prosecutor General's Office board, when asked whether the US, Britain and Ukraine were behind the terrorist attack.

Bortnikov believes that Ukraine has been trying to prove it is capable enough.

"What is it expected to do to demonstrate its capability? It is expected to carry out sabotage and terrorist acts in the rear. This is what both the chiefs of Ukraine's special services and the British special services are aiming at. US special services have repeatedly mentioned this, too," he said.

He pointed out that there was a large amount of information in the public space "showing that the West and Ukraine are out to cause greater harm to our country."

"There have been drone strikes, strikes by uncrewed boats at sea, and incursions by groups of saboteurs and terrorist organizations into our territory," Bortnikov concluded.

Russia delivers strike at Ukrainian intelligence decision-making centers

Russian forces delivered a combined strike by long-range precision weapons and unmanned aerial vehicles against Ukrainian intelligence decision-making centers and sites and foreign mercenaries’ deployment areas over the past day in the special military operation in Ukraine, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported on Tuesday.

"During the last 24-hour period, the Russian Armed Forces delivered a combined strike by seaborne and ground-based long-range precision weapons and unmanned aerial vehicles against SBU [Ukrainian Security Service] decision-making centers and sites, military-industrial enterprises and deployment areas of Ukrainian Neo-Nazi formations and foreign mercenaries. All the targets were struck. The goals of the strike were achieved," the ministry said in a statement.

On March 16-22, Russian troops delivered 49 retaliatory strikes with precision weapons, including Kinzhal hypersonic missiles in response to Kiev’s shelling of Russian populated areas and attempts to break through into its territory, the ministry reported.

On March 24, Russia’s Aerospace Forces delivered a combined strike by air-launched precision weapons and unmanned aerial vehicles against Ukrainian electric power and gas-extracting industry sites and naval drone assembly workshops.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with Security Council permanent members that the enemy’s strikes delivered against Russia’s populated areas during the presidential election would trigger a retaliatory strike.

Russian forces take better positions in Kupyansk area over past day

Russian forces improved their frontline positions in the Kupyansk area, eliminating roughly 20 enemy troops over the past day, the ministry reported.

"In the Kupyansk direction, units of the Western Battlegroup inflicted damage by firepower on enemy forces and improved their forward edge positions in active operations The Ukrainian army’s losses amounted to 20 personnel and 2 motor vehicles," the ministry said.

Kiev loses over 425 troops in Donetsk area over past day

The Ukrainian military lost more than 425 troops, four electronic warfare stations and a counter-battery radar in battles with Russian forces in the Donetsk area over the past day, the ministry reported.

"The Ukrainian army lost more than 425 personnel, 2 armored combat vehicles and 7 motor vehicles. In addition, Russian forces destroyed four electronic warfare stations, a US-made AN/TPQ-36 counter-battery radar station and a US-manufactured M777 howitzer," the ministry said.

Units of Russia’s Southern Battlegroup took advantageous positions and inflicted damage on formations of the Ukrainian army’s 54th and 93rd mechanized and 81st airmobile brigades near the settlements of Belogorovka in the Lugansk People’s Republic, Kleshcheyevka and Verkhnekamenskoye in the Donetsk People’s Republic, it specified.

Russian forces repulse four Ukrainian counterattacks in Avdeyevka area over past day

Russian forces improved their frontline positions and repulsed four Ukrainian army counterattacks in the Avdeyevka area, eliminating roughly 280 enemy troops and two tanks over the past day, the ministry reported.

"In the Avdeyevka direction, units of the Battlegroup Center inflicted damage on enemy formations and improved their forward edge positions. They repulsed four enemy counterattacks," the ministry said.

The Ukrainian army lost "as many as 280 personnel, 2 tanks, 2 armored combat vehicles and 6 motor vehicles," it specified.

In counter-battery fire, Russian forces destroyed two US-made M777 howitzers, a UK-made AS-90 self-propelled artillery gun, a D-20 howitzer and a Gvozdika motorized artillery system in the Avdeyevka direction over the past 24 hours, the ministry reported.

Russian forces destroy 105 Ukrainian troops in south Donetsk area over past day

Russian forces destroyed roughly 105 Ukrainian troops and 2 British howitzers in the south Donetsk area over the past day, the ministry reported.

"In the south Donetsk direction, units of the Battlegroup East inflicted damage by firepower and repulsed two counterattacks by assault groups of the Ukrainian army’s 72nd mechanized brigade near the settlement of Staromayorskoye in the Donetsk People’s Republic. The enemy’s losses amounted to 105 personnel, five motor vehicles and two UK-made FH70 howitzers and also a Gvozdika motorized artillery system," the ministry said statement.

Russian forces destroy 50 Ukrainian troops in Kherson area over past day

Russian forces struck Ukrainian army units in the Kherson area, destroying roughly 50 enemy troops and a US-made howitzer over the past day, the ministry reported.

"In the Kherson direction, units of the Dnepr Battlegroup improved their forward edge positions in well-coordinated operations and inflicted damage by firepower on amassed manpower and equipment of the Ukrainian army’s 65th mechanized and 108th territorial defense brigades near the settlements of Rabotino and Novosyolovka in the Zaporozhye Region," the ministry said.

The Ukrainian army’s losses in the Kherson direction over the past 24 hours amounted to 50 personnel, 3 motor vehicles and a US-made M777 howitzer, it specified.

Russian forces strike Ukrainian troops, hardware in 114 areas over past day

Russian forces struck Ukrainian troops and military hardware in 114 areas over the past day, the ministry reported.

"Operational-tactical aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, missile troops and artillery of the Russian groupings of forces struck the Ukrainian army’s manpower and military equipment in 114 areas," the ministry said.

Russian air defenses down 131 Ukrainian UAVs over past day

Russian air defense forces shot down 131 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and two S-200 surface-to-air missiles converted into strike weapons over the past day, the ministry reported.

"During the last 24-hour period, air defense capabilities shot down 131 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles, two S-200 surface-to-air missiles converted for striking ground targets and 15 rockets of the HIMARS and Vampire multiple launch rocket systems," the ministry said.

In all, the Russian Armed Forces have destroyed 577 Ukrainian warplanes, 270 helicopters, 17,142 unmanned aerial vehicles, 489 surface-to-air missile systems, 15,604 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 1,256 multiple rocket launchers, 8,531 field artillery guns and mortars and 20,215 special military motor vehicles since the start of the special military operation, the ministry reported.

West, Ukraine Needed Moscow Concert Hall Attack to Create Panic in Russia - FSB Head

©Sputnik/Maksim Blinov/Go to the mediabank

The Western intelligence and Ukraine needed the Crocus City Hall terrorist attack to create panic in the Russian society, Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) Director Alexander Bortnikov said on Tuesday.

"To shake up the situation, create panic in society," Bortnikov told reporters, when asked about the West’s and Kiev’s interest in the attack.

Bortnikov added that the FSB, along with partner intelligence services of friendly countries, are identifying all participants in the deadly terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall near Moscow.

"Now, a lot is being done to identify all participants in this massacre, both here in the country and naturally abroad, in the process of further operational and search activities, which is what is being done. And all our operational units are actively engaged in this work, including with partner intelligence services of friendly states," Bortnikov said.

Perpetrators of the attack wanted to escape alive after committing it, the FSB head said, adding that it is a fact that they were planning to escape to Ukraine, but the Russian special services did everything to prevent this from happening.

He went on to elaborate that the Ukrainian special forces are involved in the terrorist attack on the Crocus City Hall concert venue, while the Islamic State* militants prepared it.

"We believe that the attack was prepared by both the radical Islamists themselves, and naturally the Western intelligence services contributed to this, and the Ukrainian intelligence services themselves are directly involved in this," Bortnikov said in an interview with Rossiya 1 reporter Pavel Zarubin, adding that a terrorist threat in Russia "persists."

The head of Ukraine's intelligence service, Kyrylo Budanov, can become a legitimate target of the Russian armed forces, Bortnikov noted.

"Those who commit crimes against Russia and Russian citizens are legitimate targets," Bortnikov told reporters.

The information transmitted by the United States on the preparation of a terrorist attack was of a general nature, and the Russian special services responded to it.

"This information about the preparation of terrorist attacks in places of mass gathering of citizens was of a general nature. We responded to this information and, of course, took appropriate measures to prevent such manifestations. But, unfortunately, our actions that we carried out in relation to a specific group and specific individuals, this information was not confirmed at that time", Bortnikov told reporters.

The mastermind behind the terrorist attack is not identified yet, but response measures will be taken following the tragedy, the official added.

The Russian special services are actively working with the 11 people detained in connection with the terrorist attack and the circle of identified accomplices will be larger, the FSB head said.

When asked if the US, the UK and Ukraine are behind the attack, he said that the Russian special services believe so, adding that Russia is aware that Ukraine trained militants in the Middle East.

"We think so. At least we’re talking about the overall background we have. This, so to say, is general information, but there are already certain developments [in the matter]," he noted.

Russia needs to recognize the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) as a terrorist organization, Bortnikov also said.

"We have to do this, of course," Bortnikov commented.

Borrell admits Ukrainian conflict all about West backing US desire to remain hegemon — MFA

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova
©Vladimir Smirnov/TASS

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell has acknowledged for the first time ever that the West cannot allow Russia to win in the Ukrainian conflict because that would foil the US’ ambitions to remain the global hegemon, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

"It is the first time ever that a representative of the Western regime has told the truth about what is happening," the diplomat wrote on her Telegram channel. "This is not about 'love for Ukrainians,' whom the Westerners have practically completely destroyed. It is all about the desire of the US to maintain its hegemony, to preserve its waning role in global affairs," she pointed out.

Zakharova added that, "the [previous] American approach of seeking constructive solutions in international relations has disappeared without a trace." "Liberal democrats only know how to destroy things, believing that this ability provides a guarantee of [perpetual] dominance," she emphasized.

The spokeswoman noted that the EU’s current role is to "obligingly bring ammunition bought with the [tax] money of its own citizens, who have never been asked their opinion."

The spokeswoman noted that the EU’s current role is to "obligingly bring ammunition bought with the [tax] money of its own citizens, who have never been asked their opinion."

The top EU diplomat said earlier that a Russian victory in Ukraine would not serve the interests of the US, as Washington wishes to be seen as a reliable partner that can ensure the security of its allies.

EU supporting Ukraine based on its own interests, top diplomat says

The European Union is supporting Ukraine based on its own interests rather than out of love for the Ukrainian people, top EU diplomat Josep Borrell told CNN.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell
©Vladimir Smirnov/TASS

"We cannot afford for Russia to win this war. Otherwise, US and European interests will be damaged. It’s not a matter of generosity alone; it’s not a matter of support for Ukraine because we love the Ukrainian people. It is in our own interests, and it is also in the interests of the US as a global player, the one who has to be perceived as a reliable partner and a security provider to the allies. This is why we call on the US to open and approve the supplementary budget," he pointed out.

Borrell added that the EU was making every possible effort "to support Ukraine more and quicker."

The EU said following a March 22 summit that it was determined to provide support to Ukraine "for as long as it takes and as intensely as needed."

US refusal to help Russia in security sphere immoral — MFA

The United States’ statement on the refusal to help Russia after the terrorist attack in Crocus City Hall is immoral, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has said on her Telegram channel.

Earlier, the National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, John Kirby, said the US would not cooperate with Russia in the security sphere.

"Challengingly immoral behavior has become a new normal in liberal democracies," Zakharova said.

On the evening of March 22, a terrorist attack targeted the Crocus City Hall music venue in Krasnogorsk, Moscow Region, just over the Moscow city limits. According to the Russian Investigative Committee, the current death toll is 137, but may rise. The Moscow Region Health Ministry said that 182 people were injured.

Eleven individuals suspected of being involved in the terrorist attack have been apprehended, including four gunmen who were detained in the Bryansk Region, southwest of Moscow, as they attempted to seek refuge by crossing the nearby Ukrainian border.

Hotman: Gugatan Amin dan Ganjar-Mahfud Super-super Cengeng

Anggota Tim Hukum Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Hotman Paris Hutapea, di Gedung Mahkamah Konstitusi (MK), Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat, Jakarta Pusat, Senin malam, 25/03/2024/RMOL

Pengajuan sengketa atau Perselisihan Hasil Pemilihan Umum (PHPU) oleh tim Anies Baswedan-Muhaimin Iskandar Ganjar Pranowo-Mahfud MD, dianggap terlalu lemah.

Hal tersebut disampaikan Anggota Tim Hukum Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Hotman Paris Hutapea dalam jumpa pers usai mendaftar sebagai Pihak Terkait, di Gedung Mahkamah Konstitusi (MK), Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat, Jakarta Pusat, Senin malam, 25/03/2024.

"Jadi menurut kami sih rada cengeng (permohonan gugatan Anies-Muhaimin dan Ganjar-Mahfud)," kata Hotman.

Hotman menuturkan, dalil permohonan dua pasangan capres-cawapres tersebut tidak berdasar, terutama soal pencalonan Gibran yang disebut-sebut tidak absah alias memenuhi syarat.

Sebabnya, dia memandang Anies-Muhaimin dan Ganjar-Mahfud telah menunjukkan sikap penerimaan terhadap Gibran sebagai cawapres.

"Dua kali pasangan 01 dan 03 mengakui keabsahan Gibran. Pertama, waktu pendaftaran di KPU, (saat) mendapatkan nomor (urut), yang malah mereka pesta pora berdiri, tidak ada satupun protes dari keabsahan Gibran," kata Hotman.

"Pengakuan kedua, pada saat debat cawapres. Berapa kali Gibran debat dengan cawapres 01 dan 03 itu atas undangan KPU, dan tidak ada protes satupun. Kok malah disalahkan KPU nya, kok Gibran (dianggap) tidak memenuhi syarat," sambungnya menegaskan.

Oleh karena itu, Hotman menganggap ada ketidaksesuaian yang dilakukan Anies-Muhaimin dan Ganjar-Mahfud, dengan mengajukan perkara PHPU ke MK dan kaitannya dengan fakta pelaksanaan tahapan pencalonan presiden dan wakil presiden oleh KPU RI.

"Ada prinsip yang paling basic, yaitu perbuatan merupakan pengakuan, (ada) dua kali. (Yaitu) dalam pemberian nomor, 01 dan 03 mengakui keabsahan Gibran, mereka benar-benar ceria kan, dan ada Gibran di situ sama sekali tidak ditentang," katanya.

"Kemudian waktu debat, enggak ada sama sekali (protes). Sekarang kok KPU dipersalahkan, (dengan menyebut) enggak memenuhi syarat. Jadi saya mengatakan itu permohonan (gugatan PHPU) yang super-super cengeng," demikian Hotman.

Otto Hasibuan: Gugatan PHPU Pilpres cacat formil

Wakil Ketua Tim Pembela Prabowo-Gibran Otto Hasibuan menilai gugatan Perselisihan Hasil Pemilihan Umum (PHPU) Pilpres 2024 yang diajukan oleh tim hukum Anies-Muhaimin dan Ganjar-Mahfud adalah cacat formil.

Wakil Ketua Tim Pembela Prabowo-Gibran Otto Hasibuan (ketiga dari kiri) menjawab pertanyaan awak media di Gedung Mahkamah Konstitusi (MK), Jakarta, Senin, 25/3/2024. ANTARA/Nadia Putri Rahmani

“Secara formal kami melihat bahwa gugatan yang diajukan 01 (Anies-Muhaimin) dan 03 (Ganjar-Mahfud) adalah cacat formil atau cacat prosedural karena tidak memenuhi syarat formil. Karena itu, kami melihat bahwa gugatan itu berpotensi besar tidak dapat diterima,” kata Otto Hasibuan di Gedung MK, Jakarta, Senin (25/3) malam.

Ia mengatakan, dalil yang disebutkan dalam permohonan oleh kedua pemohon adalah terkait dengan pelanggaran penyelenggaraan pemilu yang dituduhkan kepada Prabowo-Gibran.

Menurutnya, dalil pelanggaran adalah ranah Badan Pengawasan Pemilihan Umum (Bawaslu). Sedangkan perkara yang bisa dimasukkan di MK, lanjutnya, adalah perselisihan tentang hasil pemilu.

“Itu tegas diatur di dalam Pasal 476 UU Pemilu dan telah diadopsi di dalam Peraturan MK Tahun 2023 yang menyatakan bahwa permohonan itu diatur mengenai tentang perhitungan suara,” ucapnya menjelaskan.

Selain itu, ia mengatakan, tuntutan mengenai diskualifikasi dalam petitum di permohonan yang diajukan oleh tim hukum Ganjar-Mahfud, juga tidak masuk dalam ranah MK.

Pihaknya juga meyakini persoalan Gibran tidak memenuhi syarat untuk dicalonkan menjadi wakil presiden, akan gampang dipatahkan dari segi bukti.

“Karena bagaimanapun Gibran masuk menjadi calon presiden itu jelas telah diputuskan dalam putusan MK yang sudah final dan binding,” ujarnya.

Karena alasan-alasan tersebut, Tim Pembela Prabowo-Gibran meyakini bahwa permohonan yang diajukan tim hukum Anies-Muhaimin dan Ganjar-mahfud tidak akan diterima.

“Salah kamar itu (permohonan pemohon). Itu tidak sah,” pungkasnya.

Tim Pembela Prabowo-Gibran telah resmi mendaftarkan diri menjadi pihak terkait untuk dua perkara PHPU Pilpres 2024 di Mahkamah Konstitusi.

“Ada 45 orang dalam Tim Pembela Prabowo-Gibran pada malam hari ini, telah menyerahkan surat permohonan untuk menjadi pihak terkait dalam dua perkara yang diajukan ke Mahkamah Konstitusi,” kata Ketua Tim Pembela Prabowo-Gibran Yusril Ihza Mahendra.

Dirinya dan tim telah menyerahkan seluruh kelengkapan berkas yang diminta oleh MK, di antaranya surat kuasa, berita acara sumpah, dan kartu tanda anggota advokat, dan sudah dinyatakan lengkap seluruhnya oleh Panitera MK.

Tim Pembela Prabowo-Gibran yakin mampu menjawab seluruh dalil-dalil yang diajukan oleh pemohon.

“Kami berkeyakinan, Insya Allah, mampu menjawab atau menangkis seluruh argumen dan dalil yang diajukan oleh para pemohon dalam perkara ini,” kata dia.

More than 100 kidnapped Nigerian students arrive back in Kaduna

Wrapped in orange headscarves and blue school uniforms, over 100 Nigerian students and staff who were kidnapped this month arrived at the local government building in the country's north on Monday, a day after they were freed by the army.

"There are here 131 students, six others are currently being hospitalized and will be eventually discharged when they get better," said Major General MLD Saraso of the Nigerian army.

He said one of the 138 people abducted, a school staff member, had died in captivity. The army announced on Sunday it had rescued 137 hostages - 76 female and 61 male - in the neighbouring state of Zamfara, days before a deadline to pay a 1 billion naira ($690,000) ransom for their release.

One security source said he saw 14 black bags, which he assumed contained the ransom money, being delivered to the Dansadau enclave in Zamfara State. He asked not to be named for fears of the possible repercussions.

Information minister Mohammed Idris told a press briefing in Abuja that no ransom was paid.

Nigerian students and staff who were kidnapped this month sit after they arrived at the local government house in Kaduna, Nigeria March 25, 2024. REUTERS/Garba Muhammad Purchase Licensing Rights

School officials and residents put the number of students kidnapped on March 7 in the town of Kuriga in the northwestern state of Kaduna at 287 while Governor Uba Sani put the figure at over 200.

Given the discrepancies in the numbers reported, it was unclear if any hostages remained captured. Kuriga elders said Sani had told them all the hostages had been freed.

A boy holds a sign to protest against, what a teacher, local councilor and parents said, the kidnapping of hundreds school pupils by gunmen after the Friday prayer in Kaduna, Nigeria March 8, 2024. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights

The abduction of students in Nigeria began over a decade ago when jihadist group Boko Haram kidnapped 276 girls from a school in Chibok in northeastern Borno State. Some of the girls have still not been released.

The abduction of students in Nigeria began over a decade ago when jihadist group Boko Haram kidnapped 276 girls from a school in Chibok in northeastern Borno State. Some of the girls have still not been released.

The students, many of them below the age of 10, were brought Monday to the Kaduna State Government House with fresh haircuts and newly sewn clothes and footwear — their first change of clothing since their abduction.

Some of them had sore feet suggesting they might have trekked long distances in the forests where they were held hostage

A boy holds a sign to protest against, what a teacher, local councilor and parents said, the kidnapping of hundreds school pupils by gunmen after the Friday prayer in Kaduna, Nigeria March 8, 2024. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights

The six children still in hospital will be made available “as soon as the doctors have certified them fit enough,” Maj. Gen. Mayirenso Saraso, a military chief in Kaduna, said while handing them over to the government.

Information Minister Mohammed Idris told reporters in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, that no ransom was paid for the children’s freedom and that their kidnappers “will be fished out by the security agencies and will never go unpunished.”

Arrests are rare in Nigeria’s kidnapping crisis as most victims are released only after ransom payments by their families or through deals that sometimes involve the release of their gang members. The Nigerian government, however, does not admit to such deals.

School authorities originally had told the state government that a total of 287 students were kidnapped during the attack. However, Kaduna Gov. Uba Sani said only 137 are confirmed to have been seized.

“We are here today happily and celebrating the safe return of our children. They will soon be with their family and their parents,” Gov. Sani said.

Their parents were not available to receive them and authorities did not allow the schoolchildren to speak to reporters. The Associated Press could not reach families in Kuriga town, which does not have cellphone service.

But one parent on Sunday spoke of their sleepless nights as they waited for the return of the children.

“We were traumatized throughout the absence of our children. Our children were away in the bush, with no food, and no good water,” said Jubril Kuriga, whose 9-year-old daughter was among the children kidnapped.

At least 1,400 students have been kidnapped from Nigerian schools since the 2014 kidnapping of 276 schoolgirls by Boko Haram militants in Borno state’s Chibok village shocked the world. In recent years, abductions have been concentrated in the country’s conflict-battered northwestern and central regions, where dozens of armed groups often target villagers and travelers for ransom.