By Chioma Iruke
Tuesday May 5 2021, marks the red line of the infamous ultimatum given to the Kaduna State Government, Greenville Varsity, as well as the parents and families of the Greenville abductees.
The students totalling 23, were abducted alongside a staff of the school on April 20, 2021 at the school campus along the Kaduna-Abuja highway.
Since the abduction, five of the students have been killed probably to send a strong warning to the Kaduna state government to make available their demand of a N100 million as well as motorcycles.
A fresh wave of panic has spurred amongst the families of the abductees who claim that more than half of the stipulated ransom has been provided.
Unfortunately, the bandits have refused to compromise as a leader from the kidnappers (bandits) Sani Jalingo, spoke to the Hausa service of the Voice of America on Monday.
He insisted that a ransom of N100m and 10 motorcycles must be provided for the students to stay alive.
Jalingo, in the interview with the Hausa service of the VOA, demanded a ransom of N100m, along with ten motorcycles.
He warned that the failure of the Kaduna State Government or the students’ families to meet the demands by Tuesday, would lead to the killing of the remaining students.
He insisted that if the money (N100m) and the items (motorcycles) demanded were not provided on Tuesday, trucks would be used to evacuate the lifeless bodies of the remaining students.
He said 17 of the abducted students, including 15 females and two males, were in their custody. Jalingo disclosed that the families of the remaining students had so far paid N55m.
Jalingo said the N55m was used to feed the abductees.
Despite the threats posed by these criminal elements the Kaduna state governor has remained resolute in his refusal to negotiate with bandits and kidnappers.
In a statement in March after the kidnappers of the College of Forestry students, Kaduna Governor, Nasir El-Rufai debunked rumors that he had appointed representatives to interface on his behalf.
The Governor in a statement said, “The attention of the Kaduna State Government under the leadership of Governor Nasir El-Rufai has been drawn to reports in the media that it has appointed representatives to interface with bandits on its behalf.
“The Kaduna State Government hereby clarifies firmly that such intermediaries have never been appointed.
“The position of the Kaduna State Government remains the same: the Government will not negotiate with or pay ransoms to bandits. Any person who claims to do so in any capacity, if found, will be prosecuted accordingly”.
Although there has been mixed reactions to El-Rufai’s stand, many have accused the governor of being complacent about the insecurity challenges facing the state.
Criticism rose even more after the governor stated in a radio chat that he would not negotiate even if a family member was kidnapped. El-Rufai said he also told them he would never pay a ransom for their freedom, should any of them get into the hands of bandits.
“I mean it and I will say it again here. Even if my son is kidnapped, I will rather pray for him to make heaven instead, because I won’t pay any ransom,” he said.
Triggering public criticism was El-Rufai’s withdrawal of his seven year old son, Abubakar Nasir El Rufai from the Kaduna Capital School.
Abubakar who was enrolled in 2019 as part of measures to promote state education in Kaduna, was withdrawn as a result of security concerns due to security lapses in the school, located on Isa Kaita Road, Ungwan Sarki.
Many asked the fate of underprivileged children who could only afford government schools. Were they left to the hands of fate, or were they to stop attending school?
Other schools of thought asked if the Governor’s decision was a lack of trust in the security agencies or lack of interest in providing security for his state.
Meanwhile, the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union, SOKAPU has described the situation as unfortunate, adding that El-Rufai should be held responsible, should the bandits carry out their threats of killing the students.
SOKAPU’s spokesman, Mr Luka Binniyat, said, “It is unfortunate that the situation is becoming more tragic than expected. After killing five of these beautiful, harmless, promising children without mercy or conscience, the threat by these armed men should prove to everyone that we don’t share the same humanity with them.
“Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai should be held responsible if anything happens further to these students. He knows that he had no capacity to crush these evil men; he knew he had no options at his disposal for the release of these students, yet he said he would not pay or negotiate their release.
“Leaders who should be so tough with outlaws like these usually have a potent alternative action outside negotiation. But his opinion of non-negotiation, or prosecuting those who hold dialogues with the kidnappers is more of a death sentence to the captives. If his child were among them, we don’t believe he will act this way.
“We are therefore calling on the Federal Government to collaborate and assist the Kaduna State Government in doing what is humanly possible to secure the freedom of these hapless victims”.
About four schools have been attacked within the year in Kaduna state with successful kidnapping occurring in three schools.
Sources say over 3,000 people have experienced some sort of banditry attacks between November 2020 and March 2021.
Parents and colleagues of the abducted students have taken their frustrations to occupy the National Assembly complex, Abuja, in protest.
“My son is the only one I have I don’t have a husband, I’m a widow,” the mother of one of the students told journalists in tears on Tuesday.
She lamented that the abduction is already 55 days – two days shy of two months since the students have been abducted.
Also, the Students Union Government, SUG, of the institution, present at the protest ground, lamented over what they described as the negligence of the state and federal government in securing the release of the children.
“Education is our right! Safety is our right! Freedom is our right! Free Afaka 29!” the protesters chanted songs of solidarity and displayed placards demanding prompt rescue of the students.
The main entrance of the National Assembly was, however, manned by security agents who denied the protesters entrance.
About four schools have been attacked within the year in Kaduna state with successful kidnapping occurring in three schools.
Sources say over 3,000 people have experienced some sort of banditry attacks between November 2020 and March 2021.
