Bandits who abducted 287 school children at Kuriga in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State have demanded a N1billion ransom to set their captives free with a threat to kill the victims if the ransom was not paid in 20 days.
The demand for ransom came barely 24 hours after President Bola Tinubu warned against payment of ransom to criminal elements, including bandits.
According to Reuters, the bandits contacted a spokesman for the families of the school children, demanding a total of 1 billion naira for their release.
Reuters also said the kidnappers vowed to kill the students and staff in 20 days, if their demand was not met.
Recall that on Thursday, March 7, 2024, bandits invaded the school and escaped into the bush with over 200 others.
President Tinubu has since directed security agencies to ensure that the children and all those who have been kidnapped are brought back in safety and also in the process, to ensure that not a dime is paid as ransom,”
Meanwhile, the military vowed yesterday to rescue the schoolchildren and return them unhurt to their families.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, who made the vow at a briefing in Abuja yesterday, said the military is committed to rescuing all kidnapped victims unhurt.
He, however, blamed the school owners for failing to report cases of abduction to security agencies on time, while also blaming the recent kidnapping of some internally displaced persons in Gamboru-Ngala, Borno State, on their disobedience to instructions as they left the camp in search of firewood without informing camp officials.
Gen Buba, said it took more than six hours after the students were abducted for the information to get to security agencies before machinery was commenced for the rescue efforts.
Major-General Buba said the kidnap was a ploy by the bandits to use them as human shields, following the onslaught that had led to the elimination of their leaders and foot soldiers in recent weeks.
He noted that the terrorists/bandits might also be planning on recruiting new foot soldiers, hence the abduction of young students and children
Abductors Of Kaduna Students Demand N1bn Ransom Vow To Kill Victims In 20 Days
