The abductors responsible for the kidnapping of over 287 schoolchildren in Kuriga village, Kaduna State, have reportedly demanded a staggering N1 billion ransom from the families of the victims.
Recall that gunmen stormed the school last Thursday morning, abducting the pupils and staff members shortly after the morning assembly.
According to Aminu Kuriga, a youth leader from the community, the bandits reached out to the families, demanding the exorbitant sum within the next 20 days. The bandits claimed to be located somewhere in the northern part of Zamfara State with the abducted children.
He said, “They (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.”
In a parallel development, President Bola Tinubu has unequivocally stated that no ransom will be paid for the rescue of the abducted children.
Speaking through the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammad Idris, after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday, Tinubu reiterated his directive to security agencies to prioritize the safe return of the children to their homes.
Idris emphasized the President’s firm stance against ransom payment to kidnappers, affirming the administration’s unwavering commitment to combating kidnapping and other criminal activities nationwide. Under the current administration, such nefarious acts, especially mass abductions, will not be tolerated, he assured.
