– Niger state government has revealed that it can’t dictate to the criminals who kidnapped some school children in the state
– However, he said discussion is ongoing with the bandits to free the victims
– Going further, he said there is no truth in the rumour that the FG has paid 800 million
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Following widespread criticism, the Niger state government has spoken on the abducted school students from Kagara.
According to the government, it cannot dictate to the gunmen behind the abduction.
Alhaji Ibrahim Matane, Secretary to the Niger state government disclosed this in a chat with Daily Trust.
Niger state government says it can’t dictate to the criminals who kidnapped some school children in the state. Photo: @PoliceNG
Source: Twitter
According to him, discussion with the bandits is ongoing. He said efforts are being made for all the victims to be released unhurt.
He said:
“We can’t rush them (bandits) even if we have time, we can’t dictate to them. I believe they are taking their time but at the appropriate time, when we have other information, the public will know.”
Going further, he said the report that N800 million ransom has been given to the armed gang was not true.
Recall that the federal government says it won’t pay ransom to secure the release of the abducted students.
Lai Mohammed said the government will employ different methods to seek the release of the students.
The minister also insisted that no ransom was paid for the release of the abducted Kankara schoolboys in Katsina state and the Dapchi schoolgirls in Yobe state.
In another development, the Sultan of Sokoto-led Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) has warned that Boko Haram might have infiltrated to areas where banditry now thrives.
JNI in a statement on Friday, February 19, condemned the attack on the Government Science College, Kagara, Niger state.
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The secretary of the group, Khalid Aliyu, said the abduction of students from the school would not have occurred if there was adequate security at the institution.
Aanu Adegun is a politics and current affairs content editor at Bioreports with over 7 years of experience in both digital and traditional media. A graduate of English Studies from Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo state, Aanu started his journalism career as a features writer. Aanu, who is also a creative writer has written books and children magazines. He once anchored some specialised pages of a national newspaper. Aanu is also a satirist.
