Metro

Abductors of Nigerian school children demand ransom, issue deadline

Published

9 months ago

March 15, 2024

Terrorists who kidnapped 287 students and their teachers from the Local Education Authority Primary School and the Government Secondary School in Kaduna State, North-West Nigeria, on March 7, have demanded for N1bn ransom for their release.

The bandits also gave the distraught parents and families of their victims a March 27 deadline for the payment of the amount or they would kill all the captives.

This threat was brought to light when the bandits reportedly contacted family members of one of the victims and made their demands.

A leader in the Kuriga community where the abductions took place, Jubril Aminu, who acts as a spokesman for the families of the hostages, told journalists that he received a call from the kidnappers on Tuesday where they laid out their demands.

Aminu said the terrorists were emphatic about their demands and swore they would kill their victims if their demands are not met by the deadline.

“They made a total of N1bn ransom demand for all the pupils, students, and staff of the school,” Aminu stated.

“They gave an ultimatum to pay the ransom within 20 days, effective from the date of the kidnap, March 7. They said they would kill all the students and the staff if the ransom demand is not met.”

Also confirming the development, the Councillor representing Kuriga Ward in the Chikun Local Gornment Area of Kaduna State, Idris Ibrahim, said:

“Yes, the kidnappers called the community through Jubril Aminu’s number and made the demand.

“They called from a hidden number but the authorities are working on getting the number,” Ibrahim said, adding that security forces were taking adequate measures to secure the release of the students.

However, there is palpable tension in the Kuriga community as the residents have been thrown into fear and despair following the demand of the bandits.

A resident who spoke to journalists on the condition of anonymity, said the people are in a dilemma as there is no way they can possibly raise the ransom money before the deadline given by the bandits.

“After the disclosure by a community leader, Jibril Aminu, to the Kuriga people, there has been a lot of tension in Kuriga, particularly among the parents of abducted students of that particular community.

“They are in a state of trauma. They need oxygen to survive, that is the stage we can describe how they are.

“Saying that the kidnappers need N1bn, honestly speaking, it is a huge amount of money and the community does not have the money to pay. One of the parents (a woman) of the abducted students is terribly sick because her main concern is her daughter who left the house without breakfast.

“There is an apprehension among Kuriga people. They said the government has abandoned them,’’ he said.

Another resident decried what he calls the silence of the government and security agencies to the plight of the victims and their families.

He also expressed concern about those behind the abduction of the students.

“Who kidnapped these students? It is now established that ISWAP is behind the abduction of Kuriga students and teachers. Some said that those people who abducted the train passengers are responsible for this issue.

“Honestly, there is a conspiracy of silence regarding these abducted Kuriga students. Nobody, even the politicians are not talking about the abducted school children,” he noted.

Related Topics:#bandits Deadline Featured Kaduna Ransom Terrorists

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Metro

Zambia: Expert warns of food security threat due to climate change

Published

1 hour ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A prominent Zambian climate-smart agriculture expert, Oliver Bulaya, has warned of a collapse of the county’s agricultural sector with a potential threat to food security due to the worsening impact of climate change.

Bulaya, who bared his mind in an interview with Zambia Monitor on Friday, warned that ignoring the crisis could lead to severe disruptions in the country’s food supply and economy.

“Unless concerted efforts are made, the country will continue facing dire consequences from climate change,” the expert noted.

He lamented a growing trend of farmers relocating to regions experiencing above-normal rainfall, such as the northern block, as they struggle with losses caused by climate variability.

Bulaya emphasized that the once-reliable rainfall areas like North-Western Zambia are now experiencing lower precipitation, as seen during the 2023/2024 farming season and cautioned that poor farming practices, which had already strained the Southern region, could lead to similar challenges in other parts of the country if proactive measures were not implemented.

Metro

Outrage over murder of Nigerian beaten to death by South Africans inside estate security office

Published

6 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Nigerian community, under the auspices of Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA), has raised the alarm over the murder of a 37-year-old Nigerian, Julius Chukwunta, who was beaten to death by four South Africans inside an estate.

According to the association, Chukwunta, a native of Aninri Local Government Area in Enugu State, was reportedly attacked on Saturday, December 7, while driving to his residence in Midrand Protea Estate.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the President-General of NICASA, Dr Frank Onyekwelu, Chukwunta was blocked by the four men while approaching his residence.

Onyekwelu stated that information available to the association noted that after attempting to pass through, Chukwunta was met with resistance by the assailants, prompting him to seek help at the security office of the estate.

“At that moment, the four men allegedly attacked him, leaving him severely injured with a head wound,” the PG said.

“His female companion, who was sitting in the car, rushed to the security office and discovered him bleeding on the ground.

“In spite of attempts to call for help, the security office and residents did not assist in calling the police or an ambulance.

“After an hour, Chukwunta’s partner contacted her father, who, along with other family members, took him to Tembisa General Hospital.

“Chukwunta was placed on life support but later succumbed to his injuries and died at the Tembisa General Hospital on December 10, 2024.”

Onyekwelu also confirmed that the case was reported to the police by Chukwunta’s partner at the Midrand Police Station and was registered under file number 262/12/2024.

The NICASA President said the four suspects, aged 20, 24, 27, and 28, were arrested, and the case was presented in Alexandra Magistrate Court on December 13, 2024, where they were charged with murder.

“The court proceedings on December 18, 2024, saw three of the suspects granted bail of R10,000 each, while the fourth had not yet applied for bail. The case was adjourned to February 3, 2025.”

Onyekwelu however, expressed disappointment at the proceedings, wondering why three of the suspects were released on bail and vowed that the Nigerian community would continue to demand justice for Chukwunta and support his family.

He emphasised that the community would not rest until justice was served and the value of Nigerian lives was upheld in South Africa.