Bandits Demand N1bn Ransom For Kidnapped 286 Kaduna School Children

The kidnappers who abducted 286 students and staff in Kaduna have demanded a sum of N1 billion for their release.

Recall that the abduction occurred on March 7 in the town of Kuriga, located in Nigeria’s northwestern Kaduna State.

According to Reuters, Jubril Aminu, a community leader acting as a spokesman for the hostages’ families, received a call from the kidnappers on Tuesday.

Aminu said:

“They made a total of a 1 billion (naira) 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.”

READ ALSO: BREAKING: No Ransom Will Be Paid To Rescue Abducted Children – Tinubu

Also, Idris Ibrahim, an elected official from the Kuriga Ward municipal council, confirmed both the ransom demand and the specified amount.

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.”

The development came after Mohammed Idris, the country’s information minister asserted that President Bola Tinubu’s position regarding the Kuriga kidnappings is that security forces should secure the hostages’ release without delay.

Tinubu had stated that no dime will be paid as ransom for the hostages.