Bandits who abducted 15 students of an Islamiya school in Niger State have reportedly demanded more than ₦100 million for their release, according to the school’s teacher, Malam Aminu Bako.
Bako disclosed this on Wednesday while releasing the names of the children taken from his farm over the weekend.
He said the kidnappers had contacted village leaders and demanded the money in exchange for the students’ freedom.
The teacher appealed to the Federal Government and security authorities to deploy military personnel to rescue the children, expressing concern that they had remained in captivity without any substantial rescue operation.
According to Bako, the response since the abduction had largely involved local vigilantes, the school and the victims’ families.
He said the acting chairman of Rafi Local Government Area and the Divisional Police Officer were the only government and security officials who had visited the community following the incident.
Bako also disclosed that information gathered by local vigilantes suggested that the children were still being held somewhere in Niger State.
He alleged that the abductors had taken them to an isolated building guarded by heavily armed men.
“We heard that they are still within Niger State, locked in a building, probably without food. We are worried; we want the authorities to come to our aid to rescue them,” he said.
The teacher maintained that military intervention was necessary to secure the students’ release and urged the authorities not to delay further action.
The 15 abducted students were identified as Hassana Isah, Aliya Ahmad, Hajara Musa, Hauwa’u Abubakar, Halima Yahaya, Asma’u Jamilu, Radiya Salisu, Aminatu Salisu, Aisha Bello, Rahinatu Sani, Aminatu Alhassan, Nafisa Ayuba, Bilkisu Adamu, Salaha Abdullahi and Hajara Salisu.
The reported ransom demand and the children’s whereabouts have not been independently confirmed by security authorities. Their families and the school are awaiting further intervention to secure their safe return.
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