According to national media reports, four of the students kidnapped by gunmen from the Federal Girls’ College in the state’s Birnin Yauri district on 17 June were released for ransom.
Salim Kaoje, the family spokesperson of the abducted students, said in a statement that 6 days of negotiations were held in the forest before 4 of the girls were handed over to them.
Stating that they paid an undisclosed amount of money to secure the release of the 4 girls after selling their property, Kaoje said, “We still have 7 children in captivity and 2 of their parents are still trying to secure their release in the forest.” she said.
Kaoje announced in January that they had started negotiations with the gunmen to release the abducted students.
In the attack on the Federal Girls’ College in Birnin Yauri district of Kebbi state on June 17, 2021, 2 police officers and 4 teachers lost their lives, and many students were kidnapped.
After the attack, education was suspended at 7 schools in the state due to security problems.
Ransom payment banned in the country
Kidnapping is punishable by the death penalty in Nigeria, yet kidnappings for ransom are common.
As part of the fight against the increasing security problems in the country, it was forbidden to pay ransom to armed persons.