Suspected bandits who abducted students of an Islamiya school in Tungan-Bako village Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, have reportedly demanded more than ₦100 million as ransom for their release.
The school teacher, Malam Aminu Bako, disclosed that the abductors contacted village leaders to communicate their demands after the children were kidnapped while harvesting maize on his farm at the weekend.
Bako, who identified 15 abducted students, expressed concern over their safety and appealed to the Federal and Niger State governments to intensify efforts to secure their release.
Speaking to Leadership, the teacher alleged that the affected families had received little practical assistance since the incident, leaving local vigilantes to lead efforts to locate the abductors.
He said the chairman of Rafi Local Government Area and the Divisional Police Officer were the only government officials who had visited since the incident.
According to him, information from the vigilantes’ intelligence indicated that the children were still within Niger State, being held in an isolated building guarded by heavily armed bandits.
“We heard that they were 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.
Bako disclosed that he had been under intense pressure from the parents since the abduction, as they were naturally worried about the safety of their children.
“We are also worried that nobody has visited us from the state government, at least to give us hope that something is being done to ensure their release,” he added.
He said the bandits contacted village leaders on the previous evening, demanding more than ₦100 million as ransom.
Confirming the latest information to Leadership, a parent, Malami Adamu, said the bandits had made the demand because they initially believed the abducted students were from government schools rather than an Islamiya school.
He said, “They told whoever spoke with them yesterday that the students were from government schools, so they should pay over ₦100 million, but they were told that the students were from Islamiya schools.”
He appealed to the Niger State Government to intervene and provide security support.
“This is not the time to leave us to only the vigilantes,” he said.
Speaking on the abduction, the police public relations officer (PPRO), SP Wasiu Abiodun, said that suspected bandits had invaded Tungan-Bako village in Rafi Local Government Area and abducted some people working on a farm.
He said the police report indicated that about 14 of the abducted victims were students of an Islamiya school, assuring that joint security operations to rescue the victims were ongoing.
Meanwhile, the Islamiya teacher released the names of the students abducted while harvesting maize on his farm: 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, Hajara Salisu.
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