The bandits, who kidnapped 138 pupils of Salihu Tanko Islamiyya School in Tegina, Niger State, have abducted a man sent to deliver N30 million as part of the ransom demanded by the bandits.
Recall that bandits invaded the school in May and abducted the students.
Speaking on Sunday, the Proprietor of the Islamiyya School, Abubakar Alhassan, told BBC Hausa Service on Sunday that the parents of the abducted students had sent an initial installment of N25 million ransom.
The abducted man, identified as Kasimu Barangana, was one of the seven persons sent by the community to deliver the N30 million ransom to the bandits in the forest.
The bandits apprehended Barangana, alleging that the money was short of N4.6 million.
The school’s proprietor said some parents sold off their landed properties and his school sold off a portion of its land to raise the N30 million.
Alhassan added that the bandits later informed them they were holding on to Barangana until the N4.6 million shortfall is delivered.
However, the Secretary to the State Government, Ibrahim Matane explained why the government is yet to apply force in rescuing the pupils.
He said the government is “taking time to evaluate ongoing negotiations with the bandits in order to prevent collateral damage.
“We know the location where they (pupils) are; we are very careful of any untoward situation; we do not want to hurt the children while resorting to military operations.”
He added that the state government was looking at other options devoid of payment of ransom before considering “kinetic action.”