Parents of Kaduna Varsity students buckle under Bandits’ demand for ransom

• After collecting N60m, they are demanding N100m

Aggrieved parents of the remaining 20 abducted students of Greenfield University in Kaduna State have appealed to the Federal Government to urgently assist them in rescuing their children in the den of bandits.

The parents, who met on Friday for a prayer session in Kaduna, decried the hold of the bandits on their children

Their children have been the custody of the bandits since April 20, 2021 when they were forcefully taken away from.the school

Chairman of the aggrieved parents, Marcus Zarmai, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to use his office to secure the release of the students before something sinister happens to them.

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“The kidnappers are demanding the sum of N100 million even after the parents have collectively paid them over N60 million ransom for the release of their children without any success,” he was quoted to have said by sundry media platforms.

They said they had driven themselves dry on cash Having exhausted all the money they have to pay as ransom, the parents appealed to the Federal Government to assist them to pay the ransom demanded or find any other way to ensure the safe return of their children.

Among those kidnapped by the bandits is a woman whose daughter, Esther Chukwuemeka, joined in praying for the release of the abducted persons.

Esther said that her mother’s absence had created a vacuum in their family and appealed to the bandits to release her mother.

The mass abduction of students for ransom payment has been on the increase in Kaduna State in recent times, with the government insisting that it would neither negotiate nor pay any money to bandits.

Less than four weeks ago, bandits stormed the school in Chikun Local Government Area of the state where they abducted a total of 20 students and three members of staff of the university.

Few days after the incident, the armed men killed five of the students and threatened to kill the others if their parents and government fail to pay N800 million ransom.

While one of the students was later freed about two weeks ago after his parents reportedly paid a ransom for his release, the fate of the remaining students still hangs in the balance.