Terrorists Increase Ransom Of Abducted Niger Pupils To 200 Million Naira
Abductors say they increased the demand because of delay in response to their earlier request.
Terrorists who abducted 156 abducted pupils of Salihu Tanko Islamiya school, in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, North-central Nigeria, have increased the ransom to N200 million, HumAngle has learnt.
HumAngle reported how the terrorists, riding on motorbikes, attacked the school on Sunday, May 30, 2021, and abducted the children.
Parents of the abductees have bemoaned the government’s silence towards rescuing their wards as they try to negotiate with the terrorists.
According to a report by The Punch newspaper, the abductors increased their demand to N200 million from N110 million earlier requested.
The terrorists, the report said, had earlier reached out to the parents, threatening to kill the pupils before Thursday, June 10, 2021.
They were reported to have increased the ransom for the release of the Islamiyya students to N200 million because parents delayed paying the money earlier requested.
The Punch quoted Tanko Zegi, father of Yazid, one of the abducted children, as saying that the parents had felt little or no impact from the state government since the children were abducted.
“One of the children the bandits took away but later left behind, a few kilometres from Tegina, because he was just about three years old, died due to the trauma. He was feverish and later died because of the fear of guns he saw,” Zegi was quoted as saying.
But Mary Noel-Berje, the spokesperson to Niger State Governor Abubakar Bello, who refuted the claim, said the government efforts were underway to rescue the abductees.
Noel-Berje said the state government had provided support to the security agencies including distribution of various operational vehicles.
“We have so far given 89 operational vehicles, 283 operational motorcycles, 30 bicycles, 4 Tri-cycles in addition to funding the various security operations in the state that include: Karamin Goro, Sharan Daji, Girgizan Daji, Gama Aiki, Ayem Akpatuma I & II, Puff Adder I & II,” she quoted Mohammed Ketso, the deputy governor as saying.
Wale Abiodun, police spokesperson in the state, corroborated the government claim.
Support Our Journalism
There are millions of ordinary people affected by conflict in Africa whose stories are missing in the mainstream media. HumAngle is determined to tell those challenging and under-reported stories, hoping that the people impacted by these conflicts will find the safety and security they deserve.
To ensure that we continue to provide public service coverage, we have a small favour to ask you. We want you to be part of our journalistic endeavour by contributing a token to us.
Your donation will further promote a robust, free, and independent media.
Donate Here
