The terrorists who kidnapped over 286 students and staff in Kaduna State have demanded a total of N1 billion ($620,432) for their release.
According to Reuters, a community leader, Jubril Aminu, who acts as a spokesman for the families of the hostages, said he received a call from the kidnappers on Tuesday, March 12 demanding ransom.
“They made a total of a N1 billion ransom demand for all the pupils, students and staff of the school. They gave an ultimatum to pay the ransom within 20 days, effective from the date of the kidnap. They said they will kill all the students and the staff if the ransom demand is not met.”
An elected official from the Kuriga Ward municipal council, Idris Ibrahim, also confirmed the ransom demand and the amount.
“Yes, the kidnappers called the community through Jubril Aminu’s number and made the demand. They called from a hidden number but the authorities are working on getting the number.”
President Bola Tinubu had stated that neither he nor his administration would cower to bandits, adding that he would not pay a dime to free the abducted children who are under 15 years old.
On the 7th of March, 2024, bandits attacked the Kuriga community in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State and kidnapped about 286 students including some teachers at the LEA Primary School Kuriga.