Last week’s harrowing abduction of 287 pupils from a public school in Kuriga, within the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, has taken a distressing turn as the kidnappers have set a staggering demand of N1 billion for the release of the innocent children.
Reports from Premium Times indicate that the kidnappers reached out to Aminu Kuriga, a close associate of the school’s principal, Abubakar Isah, on Tuesday, to convey their demand.
A source within the community, speaking anonymously, revealed the chilling details, stating, “One of the abductors contacted us using a private number, claiming they are situated at the northern fringe of Dansadau, in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State. They made it clear that if we meet their monetary demand, all the children will be set free.”
The Kaduna State Government has been briefed on the situation, yet the stance remains firm: no ransom will be paid to the kidnappers, a position echoed by the Federal Government.
The ransom drop-off point specified by the terrorists is within the confines of the Kwiambana Game Reserve, a vast forest spanning the northwest and north-central regions. Notably, a tragic parallel exists as a group of students from the Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State, abducted last September, reportedly remains captive within the same forest.
This latest demand underscores the urgent need for a concerted effort to ensure the safe return of the abducted children, as the nation grapples with the relentless scourge of kidnapping and insecurity.