Gunmen Demand 1 Billion Naira Ransom

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Gunmen Demand 1 Billion Naira
Photo of LEA Primary and Secondary School in Kuriga village

Gunmen Demand 1 Billion Naira
Gunmen who abducted 287 schoolchildren in Kaduna State on March 7 have demanded a ransom of 1 billion naira ($621,848) and threatened to kill all the students if their demands are not met, according to a member of the local community. The resident, Aminu Jibril, received a call from the kidnappers on Tuesday, stating that the ultimatum would last for three weeks from the date of the abduction.

Jibril revealed that the kidnappers claimed the abduction was retaliation against the government and security agencies for killing their gang members. He also believed that they obtained his contact information from the head of the school’s junior secondary section, who was among those kidnapped.

The LEA Primary and Secondary School in Kuriga village, located in Kaduna state’s Chikun district, was targeted by armed bandits on motorcycles. While some students were rescued, 287 of them remain in captivity, with approximately 100 from the primary school and the rest from the secondary school.

Kaduna Governor Uba Sani assured the public that the government is making every effort to secure the safe return of the abducted pupils and students. Sadly, during the attack, a member of the community who confronted the abductors lost his life.

Kaduna state has been grappling with recurring incidents of kidnappings for ransom by bandits, with several mass abductions occurring in recent years. These incidents highlight the ongoing security challenges faced by the region.

The Nigerian government and security agencies are under pressure to take swift action and ensure the safe rescue of the kidnapped schoolchildren. The situation has sparked national and international concern, with calls for greater efforts to address the root causes of insecurity and protect the lives of innocent citizens, particularly children, who have become targets of such criminal acts.

Gunmen Demand 1 Billion Naira