Military vows to rescue kidnapped Kaduna School children, as abductors demand N1bn ransom
By Emma Ogbuehi
Hope came alive for the over 200 schoolchildren recently abducted by bandits in Kaduna State, as the military has vowed to rescue them. The pledge cam on the heels of the kidnappers demanding a total of 1 billion naira for the release of the students. The kidnappers reportedly vowed to kill the students and staff in 20 days if their demand is not met.
President Bola Tinubu has however insisted that no dime would be paid in freeing the school children.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba stated the military’s position on Thursday, while addressing a press conference in Abuja on the activities of the Armed Forces in the last two weeks. General Buba said the military is committed to rescuing all kidnapped victims unhurt.
The defence spokesman however, blamed school owners for failing to report cases of abduction to security agencies on time.
READ ALSO:
Kaduna school abduction: Gumi offers to negotiate with bandits
He also blamed 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.
On the 7th of March, 2024, bandits attacked the Kuriga community in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State and kidnapped about 286 students including some teachers at the LEA Primary School Kuriga.
The abduction has triggered comments from authorities in Nigeria.
In the wake of the abduction, President Bola Tinubu mandated security agencies to fish out the kidnappers and rescue the students, insisting his government would not pay ransom.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation Muhammad Idris said this on Wednesday after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja.
He told State House Correspondents that President Tinubu also reiterated his directive to the defence to ensure that the children are rescued and brought back safely to their homes.
The minister reiterated that under the current government, kidnapping, especially mass abduction will not be tolerated.
In the midst of the confusion, Kaduna-based Muslim cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has offered to dialogue with bandits to free the abducted kids.
Gumi who made the offer, urged President Tinubu not to repeat the mistake made by former President Muhammadu Buhari, who refused to dialogue with bandits.
