Terrorists demand N40m ransom, AAN seeks action to end insecurity plague
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Terrorists have demanded N40 million ransom to release some female students they kidnapped from Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (JoSTUM) campus on Tuesday.
A friend of one of the victims disclosed that “the kidnappers have started contacting the families of the girls for money.
“I learnt that they are demanding for N40 million ransom before they can be released, with a threat that if the money is not paid quickly, they would deal with the girls.
“We are sad about this development and we are appealing to the authorities to step in and have the girls secured and released, because none of the parents of the victims can raise even half of the money they are asking for.”
The source spoke anonymously in fear of reprisal, according to Vanguard.
The students were kidnapped by armed men on campus at about 8:30pm on Tuesday on their way to read in a lecture hall.
Angry fellow students have protested against the abduction and demanded the immediate release of the victims.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) JoSTUM branch also condemned the abduction and called for their unconditional and immediate release.
The agitation compelled the school to shut down for one week in order to address insecurity on the campus.
AAN condemns kidnap, demands immediate release of victims
ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) has added its voice by condemning the abduction and demanding the immediate and unconditional release of the students.
A statement signed by AAN Country Director Andrew Mamedu expressed concern over the spate of abductions of students North and South and sought a holistic strategy to curb the menace as homes, schools, worship centres, communities and roads are not safe for citizens.
Mamedu said continued kidnappings in educational institutions are a grim reminder of past ones, including the abductions of the Chibok and Dapchi girls and of over 200 students in Kuriga, Kaduna in 2024, among several others who have faced similar attacks in schools.
This persistent threat undermines the right to education and poses a serious risk to national development, he warned, stressing that closing schools as a temporary response does not address the root causes of the problem.
In his view, education in Nigeria is already under threat due to poor infrastructure, underfunding, and adding insecurity to the mix worsens the crisis.
“Now students are made to choose between getting an education and staying alive, then if schools are no longer safe, where can young Nigerians feel secure? the statement lamented.
“Despite past assurances from the government, including President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2021 commitment to ending attacks on educational facilities and ensure a safe learning environment, these violent, abductions have not only persisted but worsened.
“What has become of those promises? Why are students still being taken from schools in 2025? The Nigerian people deserve answers and, more importantly, real solutions.
“The Nigerian government must demonstrate genuine commitment by re-evaluating and fully implementing its school security strategies.
“ActionAid Nigeria demands that security agencies intensify efforts to rescue and ensure the safe return of the abducted students.
“Strengthening security presence in schools and communities is essential, but beyond that, security agencies must also prioritise intelligence gathering, early warning systems, and community-led security initiatives.
“The abduction of students is not just an attack on individuals – it is a direct assault on the future of Nigeria. The federal government must act with urgency to bring back the abducted students safely and implement concrete measures to protect all schools from such heinous acts.
“Every child deserves the right to education without fear of violence. Our leaders must rise to the occasion – Nigeria’s future depends on it.
“Policies that tackle the underlying causes of insecurity, ranging from socio-economic challenges to governance failures, must also be prioritized and those responsible for this abduction must be identified and held accountable to deter future occurrences.
“ActionAid Nigeria stands in solidarity with all the students’ affected their families, and the university, at this difficult time. The time for empty promises is over – what Nigerians need now is action to end the insecurity plaguing schools and the nation at large.”
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