Kidnappers who abducted students and staff from LEA Primary School Kuriga in Kaduna State have contacted a spokesman for the families of the hostages, demanding a ransom of 1 billion naira ($620,432) for their release. The kidnappers have threatened to kill the hostages if their demand is not met within 20 days, according to Reuters.
The attack occurred on March 7, 2024, when bandits targeted the Kuriga community in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, kidnapping approximately 286 students and teachers. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed security agencies and the Ministry of Defence not to pay any ransom to kidnappers or bandits for the release of abducted persons.
Jubril Aminu, a community leader acting as a spokesman for the families of the hostages, confirmed the ransom demand, stating, "They made a total of a 1 billion naira ransom demand for all the pupils, students, and staff of the school." Idris Ibrahim, an elected official from the Kuriga Ward municipal council, also confirmed the ransom demand and the amount, noting that the kidnappers called from a hidden number.
The lives of the abducted students and staff hang in the balance as authorities work to track down the kidnappers and secure the safe release of the hostages.
