Parents of Abducted Kaduna Students Defy El-Rufai, Say They Are Ready to Negotiate with Bandits
- The parents of the abducted Kaduna students have said they can no longer sit and do nothing while their children remain in captivity
- Against the stance of the state government, the parents said they are now open to negotiating with the bandits
- The bandits had earlier made a demand of N500 million to free the students
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Parents of the students abducted from the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation in Kaduna state have said they are ready to negotiate with bandits to secure the release of their children.
The Cable reported that the parents made their position known during a press briefing on Monday, April 5.
The parents said they can no longer sit and do nothing as their children remain in the den of the bandits weeks after their abduction.
Source: Facebook
The bandits abducted the students when they attacked their school on Friday, March 12.
Sam Kambai, who spoke on behalf of the parents, said they will “do everything within our power” to secure the release of the students.
They also accused the state government of abandoning them to their fate.
Legit.ng notes that the parents' statement follows Governor Nasir El-Rufai's insistence that he will not negotiate with the bandits.
Speaking on Channels TV on Sunday, April 5, the governor of Kaduna state said bandits and kidnappers are attacking the state because of his government’s position not to negotiate with the criminals and give them money.
He insisted that the state government would not change its stand on the issue, arguing that it was uncivilised to negotiate with criminals.
According to him, those who consider the option of negotiating with bandits are irrational and emotional.
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Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the bandits behind the mass abduction demanded N500 million for the release of the students.
Three parents of some of the abducted students confirmed that the abductors reached out and made a demand of N500 million for their release.
The kidnappers have also released three videos showing the students in what appeared to be a forest area.
Meanwhile, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and a prominent religious leader in the north, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, have released a joint statement after their closed-door meeting on Sunday, April 4, in Abeokuta.
In the statement sent to Legit.ng, the Nigerian leaders recommended special courts to try bandits, kidnappers and anyone caught carrying arms illegally.
They also urged the federal government to take the issue of insecurity up with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Source: Legit.ng
