The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has arrived in Kaduna State to assess the situation following the abduction of 280 school children and teachers from the joint Government Secondary and LEA Primary School in Kuriga, Chikun Local Government Area.

Upon his arrival, the Police boss was warmly received by Governor Uba Sani, Speaker Yusuf Liman, and other senior government officials at the Government House in Kaduna, where he commiserated with the state government and its people over the unfortunate incident.

During a meeting with state officials, the IGP announced the launch of a Special Intervention Squad of the Police in Kaduna State.

Originally scheduled for April, the initiative was expedited in response to the kidnapping in Kuriga.

Emphasizing the urgency of the situation, the IGP pledged to deploy all available strategies, including non-kinetic approaches, to ensure the safe rescue or release of the abducted students and staff members.

Recall that the bandits had stormed the LEA Primary School, Kuriga, around 8.30 am on Thursday, shortly after the assembly gathering and abducted the pupils and some staff members of the schools.

Bandits who abducted 16 residents from the Gonin Gora region of Kaduna State have demanded 40 trillion naira as ransom for their victims.

Confirming the ransom demand, community leader John Yusuf expressed incredulity at the exorbitant sum, highlighting the impossibility of meeting such a demand even by selling the entire community.

“The bandits have contacted us. They are demanding for N40 trillion, 11 Hilux vans and 150 motorcycles for the release of 16 people they are holding captive.”

“Where are we going to get this kind of money! Even if we sell the entire community, we cannot raise N40 trillion. Even Nigeria as a country has never made a budget of N40 trillion,” he said.