Headmaster ‘shocked’ as bandits demand ₦110 million ransom for 156 Muslim students

Bandits have demanded ₦110 million ransom for the release of 156 Islamiyya students abducted in Niger state.

Several students of Salihu Tanko Islamiyya school were abducted in Tegina town in Rafi local government area on Sunday.

Abubakar Alhassan, the school headmaster, said the abductors contacted the school to demand the ransom on Monday.

“I was baffled when the kidnappers declared to me that the sum of ₦110 million should be paid to secure the release of the pupils and threatened to kill all the children if the money is not paid by the end of yesterday (Tuesday), he told ThisDay.

Alhassan said the bandits confirmed having a total of 156 students in their custody.

He said the bandits threatened to kill all the children in captivity if they fail to pay the demanded ransom.

In a statement by Mary Noel-Berje, chief press secretary to Niger governor, the state government said it would not pay ransom to the bandits but would consider negotiations.

“We don’t pay ransom to abductors. We are trying to negotiate to see how we can bring them back safely,” the statement quoted the deputy governor as saying.

However, the parents and the community have started to source the ransom for the release of their children.