NIGER: Abductors of Islamic students demand N110m ransom

THE abductors of hundreds of students and staff of Salihu Tanko Islamiyya School, Tegina, in Rafi Local Government Area have demanded N110 million as a ransom for the safe release of the victims.

They also threatened to kill the victims should the school or their parents fail to meet their demands by midnight of Tuesday this week.

Head teacher of the school, Abubakar Alhassan, who disclosed that the bandits’ call came in about 4 pm on Monday, said, contrary to their expectation, the bandits claimed they have a total of 156 people with them made up of pupils and staff.

Alhassan said the management of the school has contacted the state government on the latest development but that the government is insisting on not paying ransom to the bandits.

The bandits had invaded the school at the weekend, and abducted many students including staff, killing one person and injuring another.

Although the number of those abducted were yet to be ascertained, the proprietor of the school, Idris Umar told journalists on Monday that information gathered from parents indicated 136 students were kidnapped.

This is apart from the 11 pupils reported to have been freed immediately after the abduction because of their inability to keep pace with the abductors.

According to reports, parents and relations of the abductees have begun to raise money to take to the bandits.

But Deputy Governor, Ahmed Ketso, had in a briefing at the Government House in Minna claimed that some of the bandits were arrested.

He also vowed that the state government won’t pay any ransom.