Bandits Kidnap Man Sent to Pay Ransom For Abducted Pupils in Niger

Bandits have abducted a 60-year-old negotiator who was sent to pay ransom to secure the release of the 136 students kidnapped on 29 May from the Salihu Tanko Islamic school in Tegina.

The negotiator who is from the community, was reportedly taken hostage because the ransom he brought was short.

The development was confirmed by Abubakar Alhassan, director of the Islamic school as well as parents of the abducted children.

The identity of kidnapped negotiator was, however not disclosed.

According to Alhassan, the school and parents have been negotiating with the kidnappers who demanded ₦30 million ($72,993) ransom to secure the release of the students.

He said the school had contributed to raise the ransom and some parents also sold off their properties to raise the amount given to the negotiator.

“We sold most of our properties and used our savings to see that our children are returned.

“Unfortunately after all the effort, they said that we did not bring the money as they required,” said Ibrahim Salihu, father of two of the children abducted by the school in Niger state.

“We are now left with nothing and our children are still held captive,” he said.

Armed raided schools and universities in northern Nigeria in recent times, kidnapping over more 1,000 students for ransom since December.