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Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has welcomed the “safe release” of 23 train passengers held hostage by gunmen since March.

Officials said the victims, who were found in terrible conditions, were being checked by doctors at a military hospital.

The military announced that a committee it set up had secured the release of the hostages, but gave no details.

The secretary of the committee, Prof Umar Yusuf, told the BBC that no ransom was paid and there was no use of military force.

He said the victims had not changed clothes since they were abducted over six months ago.

On Wednesday President Buhari described their release as a “remarkable outcome” of the authorities’ efforts.

In a statement, he said he received the news “with much happiness” and congratulated their families.

The authorities believe elements from the militant group Boko Haram were behind the attack on the train travelling from the capital, Abuja, to the northern city of Kaduna.

The 23 men, women and children were the last batch of more than 60 passengers who had been abducted.

Several passengers were shot dead by the gunmen during the kidnapping attack.