Terrorists in Kaduna State who kidnapped more than 286 students and staff and are asking for N1 billion ($620,432) for their release.
According to Reuters, Jubril Aminu, a community leader speaking on behalf of the hostages’ families, received a call from the kidnappers on Tuesday.
“They made a total of a N1 billion ransom demand for all the pupils, students and staff of the school,” Aminu said.
“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.”
Idris Ibrahim, an elected official from the Kuriga Ward municipal council, confirmed the ransom demand and the amount.
“Yes, the kidnappers called the community through Jubril Aminu’s number and made the demand,” he said.
“They called from a hidden number but the authorities are working on getting the number.”
He mentioned that security forces are taking necessary steps to ensure the students’ release.
Samuel Aruwan, the Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs in Kaduna State, did not respond immediately to requests for comments on the kidnappers’ demands.
Requests for comments from President Bola Tinubu‘s spokespersons and the army went unanswered.
Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information, stated on Wednesday that Tinubu’s stance on the Kuriga kidnappings is that security forces should secure the hostages’ release without paying any ransom.
Allub Times that on March 7, school children, older students, and school staff members were kidnapped in Kuriga, Kaduna State. This incident marks the first mass kidnapping in the country since 2021.
