Bandits have demanded N1 billion for the release of the 286 kidnapped students of the Government Secondary School (GSS) Kuriga in Gwagwada District, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

A community leader, Jubril Aminu, who acts as a spokesman for the families of the abducted victims, disclosed that he had received a call on his phone from the kidnappers on Tuesday, March 12, 2024.

The Star had reported that the students were abducted by bandits during an attack on the school on March 7.

“They made a total of N1 billion ransom demand for all the pupils, students, and staff of the school.

“They gave an ultimatum to pay the ransom within 20 days, effective from the date of the kidnap. They said they will kill all the students and the staff if the ransom demand is not met,” Aminu told Reuters.

An elected official from the Kuriga Ward municipal council, Idris Ibrahim, confirmed the ransom demand and the amount.

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Ibrahim said: “Yes, the kidnappers called the community through Jubril Aminu’s number and made the demand.

“They called from a hidden number but the authorities are working on getting the number.”

He added that the security forces were taking “adequate measures” to secure the release of the students.

The Kaduna State Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, did not respond to requests for comment about the kidnappers’ demands.

Spokespersons for President Bola Tinubu and the army also did not respond to requests for comment.

President Tinubu has however vowed not to pay ransom to kidnappers of students and other people in the country.

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The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this known while addressing journalists in Abuja on Wednesday.

Idris said the president also directed security agencies to ensure the release of all kidnapped victims without the payment of ransom.

“Mr President has also directed that no ransom will be paid by government to any of these criminal elements. I think it’s important that this be put out there,” the minister said.

The Star