Abducted Forestry college students released by bandits
Abducted Forestry college students were released by bandits on Wednesday the 5th of May 2021 in Kaduna State after being abducted on the 12th of March.
The remaining abducted students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization Afaka in Kaduna have finally been released after spending 55 days in captivity.
The students were released on Wednesday the 5th of May and are currently undergoing medical examination at a health facility in Kaduna.
The spokesman of the Police Command in Kaduna state, ASP Mohammed Jalige confirmed the release of the students on Wednesday in Kaduna.
Initially, a total of 39 students were abducted from their hostel on the night of March 12, but 10 of them were later released.
The military had engaged the attackers at the time of the attack and was able to successfully rescue 180 staff and students.
The abductors had demanded N500 million ransom to release the students, but the Kaduna State Government stood its ground and said it would not negotiate with nor pay ransom to bandits and terrorists because that would only encourage them.
Parents of the students have been worried and anxious for the release of their children and had staged a protest at the National Assembly on Tuesday the 4th of May, to draw the lawmaker’s attention.
Meanwhile, The Kaduna State Government celebrated with the parents of the students for their safe release.
“The government rejoices with the freed students, their families, and the management of the institution over this development.
“Governor Nasir El-Rufai charged them to view their ordeal as a motivator to put the past behind and work hard towards a happier and successful future ahead,” Samuel Aruwan, Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs said in a statement.
The students were released by their abductors in the Giwa local government area of the state, Wednesday evening.
This is hopefully the beginning of positive changes in the security issues the country currently faces all across Nigeria.