FG: No Ransom Was Paid for Kaduna School Pupils’ Release

* Warns Gumi against ‘reckless’ statements 

Deji Elumoye in Abuja 

The Federal Government has declared that no ransom was paid for the release of the 137 school pupils kidnapped early this month at Kuriga in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Addressing newsmen on Monday at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stressed that “in keeping with the commitment of Mr President, no ransom was paid”.

According to him, the president appreciated the role of the security services in the safe return of the abductees at the weekend, adding that all those involved in the abduction will be fished out and punished.

Asked if government was willing to engage the renowned Islamic cleric, Sheikh Gumi, who appears to be close to the bandits and kidnappers in the north, the minister said: “What I can tell you is that the government will stop at nothing to get any kind of information that is required to solve our problems. 

“Sheikh Gumi or any other individual for that matter is not above the law. If you have suggestions that are constructive enough for security agencies to take, they will take it.

“But if they think that he is also making some statements that appear to be reckless, he will also be reprimanded.” 

Details later…