The Presidency has released a statement on the abducted Greenfield University students, where it said that it shares the agony of parents, as they keep working with security agencies to bring the tragic saga and kidnapping menace to a halt.
The Presidency in the statement released on Tuesday 4th May 2021, stated that:
“We deeply share the anguish of the parents of the abducted Greenfield University students,” the statement said.
The Presidency in its statement, continued by adding that: “The Federal Government through the military and intelligence agencies is working to support the Kaduna State Govt to bring this tragic saga to an end with no further loss of innocent life.
We will ensure that good triumphs over evil, and that all of the bandits and criminals terrorizing innocent lives & communities are brought to book. This is a time for all Nigerians to unite, regardless of religion, ethnicity or partisan affiliation—against a common, dastardly enemy,” the statement added.
Reports on Tuesday, stated that one of the abducted students of the Greenfield University in Kaduna state was released by the bandits.
The report by Channels TV, also stated that the mother of the student, Lauritta Attahiru, confirmed the release of her son on Tuesday, May 4.
The mother of the released student also refused to give details of how her son was released and whether a ransom was paid or not, TVC News stated.
However, some other parents whose identities were not disclosed claimed that the student was released on Saturday, May 1, after his mother, negotiated and paid ransom to the bandits privately.
The mother is said to be the wife of a Retired Army officer from Plateau state. The parents added that the bandits have been negotiating with them individually, asking each of them to pay as high as N20 million. They appealed to the government and Nigerians to come to their aid so that their children will be rescued alive.
Meanwhile, the bandits have now turned to the government again as they demanded a bulk of N100 million and ten motorcycles on Monday, May 3. They also threatened to kill the remaining students in their custody if their demands are not met. The criminals had earlier killed five of their victims.