Abducted Niger Islamiyya Students Regains Freedom After 88 Days In Captivity

Suspected bandits on Thursday night released over 70 abducted students of Tanko Salihu Islamic School, Tegina, in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State.

The school’s proprietor, Idris Umar, who disclosed this to Punch, said the pupils were released by their abductors around Kebbi State after 88 days in captivity.

The proprietor, while confirming the pupils have regained freedom, said that the children were currently on their way to Minna, where the state government will receive them.

KanyiDaily had reported how the Islamiyya students were abducted on 30th May following an attack on Tegina where bandits were said to have shot endlessly to scare away people.

It was gathered that about 200 persons were kidnapped from the school, among whom were 136 pupils, as well as their teachers.

Two of the children escaped from captivity after some weeks, while four of them died. A parent was also confirmed dead after hearing of the abduction.

The bandits, after the abduction, had demanded N300m as ransom initially, but they later reduced it to N50m, which was paid in two installments.

After the N50m ransom, the abductors also demanded for additional N20m and six motorcycles, which they insisted on getting before releasing the children.

This is coming a few days after bandits released 15 out of 80 students abducted from the Bethel Baptist High School in Kaduna State.