Kagara: Government Initiates Talks With Bandits Who Kidnapped Students In Niger State

The Niger State Government and the Federal Government of Nigeria have begun talks with the gunmen who abducted Kagara school students, according to the Daily Trust.

The newspaper quoted a source in the delegation as saying that the governments were in talks through mediators after the abduction of the students on Tuesday night.

Efforts to rescue the children are being spearheaded by Fulani leaders and repentant robbers, according to the newspaper.

She added that a large number of repentant pirates from Zamfara and Katsina had been requested to lead the talks.

The Niger State government said 42 people were abducted, including 27 students, three staff members, and 12 families. The school has about 1,000 students.

Gunmen killed one student as he tried to flee, shooting him three times.

Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani Bello has said his government will not pay the ransom.