Bandits demand N1bn ransom for 287 abducted Kaduna schoolchildren despite President Tinubu’s stance on non-payment
Less than 24 hours after President Bola Tinubu’s firm stance against paying ransom to the abductors of 287 schoolchildren in Kuriga village, Kaduna State, the bandits have reportedly issued a demanding ransom of N1 billion from the families of the victims.
President Tinubu, speaking through Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, declared the government’s commitment to not negotiate with kidnappers on Wednesday.
He urged security agencies to take necessary actions to ensure the safe return of the kidnapped children, including Tsangaya students in Sokoto and IDPs in Borno State.
In a tense development, the bandits directly contacted the victims’ families, insisting on the hefty ransom to be paid within 20 days.
Aminu Kuriga, a youth leader in the community, confirmed the ransom demand and expressed deep concern among the people.
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“The bandits claimed they are somewhere around northern part of Zamfara with the children and that we should pay the N1bn before the next 20 days.
“They got my number through the abducted School Principal, Abubakar Isah, who happens to be my childhood friend. We pray for God’s intervention on this issue,” he said.
Recall that the gunmen invaded the school last Thursday morning shortly after the Assembly session and abducted the pupils and some staff members of the school.
The state Governor, Uba Sani, visited the community hours after the abduction and assured the parents that the government would ensure all their children returned unharmed.
But days after the incident, there was no report of any child being rescued in the community, and the bandits were even sighted at the entrance of the community five days after the school abduction.
The Kaduna State Government has not reacted to the ransom demand.
The Overseeing Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, could not be reached on the phone and had not acknowledged the WhatsApp message sent to him.
