Kidnappers demand nearly £500k ransom for school hostages, including children
In a harrowing development that has gripped the nation, gunmen in Nigeria have kidnapped at least 286 students and staff from a school, setting off alarms across the global community. The incident, which took place last Thursday in the north-western Kaduna State town of Kuriga, has seen the kidnappers demanding an astonishing one billion naira (£486,000) for the hostages’ release. Among the abducted, at least 100 are children aged 12 or younger, highlighting the profound vulnerability of the victims.
Jubril Aminu, speaking on behalf of the hostages’ families, shared the chilling threat received from the kidnappers: they have set a 20-day ultimatum to pay the ransom, failing which they threaten to execute all captives. This dire situation underscores the stark realities faced by many in regions plagued by such violent abductions, often carried out with financial motives.
The demanded ransom amounts to more than £1,600 per individual, a figure that dwarfs the average annual income in Nigeria, according to data from the International Monetary Fund. This situation not only showcases the audacity of the kidnappers but also the immense financial burden placed on the families of the victims.
The Nigerian government, while deeply concerned, has taken a firm stance against succumbing to the kidnappers’ demands. Information Minister Mohammed Idris has called upon the nation’s security forces to ensure the hostages’ swift and safe return without yielding to the ransom demand. This policy aims to deter future kidnappings by denying perpetrators the financial incentives that drive such crimes.
This kidnapping is part of a disturbing trend of mass abductions targeting schools in Nigeria, reminiscent of the infamous Chibok schoolgirl kidnapping in 2014. Such incidents have become increasingly common, with over 1,400 Nigerian students kidnapped in recent years. The psychological and physical impact on the victims and their families is immeasurable, and the threat looms large over the nation’s sense of security and well-being.
As Nigeria grapples with this crisis, the international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution that brings the hostages home safely while addressing the underlying issues that enable such acts of violence. The resolve of the Nigerian government and the international response to this crisis will be critical in shaping the future of security and stability in the region.
