Aggrieved parents of the abducted students of the Greenfield University, Kaduna has cried out to the Federal Government and the State Government to assist them in securing the release of their children.
The parents stated that they had paid a sum of N60 million to the bandits, however, they are still demanding for an additional ransom of N100 million, that would amount to a total of N160 million to free the 16 students still in their custody.
The parents who gathered for a prayer session in Kaduna on Friday, decried the continued stay of their children in the custody of the bandits since they were abducted from on April 20.
Speaking after the prayer session, the Chairman of the aggrieved parents, Marcus Zarmai, expressed concerns on the safety of their children, stating that they had already given N60m to the bandits in order to secure the freedom of their children without any success.
He also appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to use his office to urgently secure the release of the students.
In his words, “We are worried about their safety. The innocent students had spent 24 days in the kidnappers’ den.
“Even after, we the parents have collectively paid them over N60 million ransom for the release of our children and they failed to release them.”
“We, the parents are appealing to the Federal Government to assist us to pay the ransom demanded or find any other way to ensure the safe return of our children.”
Recall that some armed bandits attacked the Greenfield university located at Kashmir Village, along the Abuja/Kaduna Highway on April 18.
The bandits abducted about 21 students from the University.
The bandits had subsequently killed five of the students as confirmed by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan.
The leader of the group who identified himself as Sani Idris Jalingo, during a telephone conversation with the Hausa service of the Voice of America (VOA), gave the state Government a 24-hour ultimatum, threatening the government under to kill their victims if they fail to pay N100 million and 10 motorcycles within the stipulated time.
Jalingo had also disclosed that the families of the abducted students had already paid N55 million which he claimed was used to feed the abductees.
However, the ultimatum had since elapsed and nothing has been heard from the bandits or the government regarding the ransom as of press time.
Recall also that One of the abducted students of Greenfield University in Kaduna State was released by armed bandits.
The mother of the abducted student identified as Mrs. Lauritta Attahiru confirmed the released her son. However, she stopped short of disclosing the details of how her son was released and whether a ransom was paid or not.
