Bandits, who abducted some school children from the Tanko Salihu Islamiyya school in Tegina, Niger State, have reduced the ransom they are demanding for their release to N150 million.
It was gathered that some of the 136 abducted pupils of the school have fallen sick in captivity.
The headmaster of the Islamiyya school, Alhassan Garba Abubakar told reporters on Tuesday that the bandits disclosed the ill health of the children to him.
He said the bandits, who initially asked for N200 million said they would accept N150 million as ransom.
Abubakar said, “ The bandits who had been demanding for N200 million said they would accept N150 million as ransom to release the abducted children.”
“The amount raised so far has been a far cry from what the bandits are demanding before they release the pupils.
” I am not part of the committee of the parents going to churches and mosques to solicit for donations for the ransom money to be paid; so I cannot tell you the exact amount of money raised so far.”
Recall that the children were abducted on May 30, 2021 and have been in captivity for 17 days now.
The head teacher refused to disclose the amount raised so far but said it is still far from the demanded ransom.
Niger State Government has insisted it would not pay any ransom to the bandits for the release of the children, saying the bandits are using the children’s health as a strategy.