Niger School Girls’ Abductors Slash Ransom to N50m

Laleye Dipo

Abductors of the 156 female pupils of the Salihu Tanko Islamiyya School, Tegina, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State have slashed the ransom demanded from the parents of the girls to N50million.

The bandits, who abducted the girls or over a month ago, had initially demanded the sum of N200million ransom to set them free.

Two weeks ago, N20million was reportedly taken to the bandits, which was collected, but they refused to release the abductees on the ground that the money was short by N2million.

THISDAY was however told that the bandits and their contacts got in touch with the head teacher of the school during which they disclosed that they have reduced the ransom to N50million.

The bandits, according to the source, vowed that they would not release the girls unless the amount is paid.

“We are prepared to hold the girls till eternity if the money is not paid; we will continue to feed them, and you will pay for the feeding,” the source quoted the bandits as telling the head teacher.

The source, said one of the abductees was made to talk to the head teacher in which she allegedly complained that: “We are suffering, please come and rescue us.”

When contacted, the school Head Teacher, Alhaji Alhassan Abubakar, confirmed the story.

He said: “We are hoping on God for something to happen, which will lead to the release of our children.”