Kaduna State Government on Friday, denied claims that Governor Nasir El-Rufai has threatened to prosecute parents of abducted Kaduna students for agreeing to negotiate with bandits on the release of their students.
It would be recalled that 39 students of the College of Forestry and Mechanisation, Mado Kaduna were kidnapped on March, 11, 2021 and only 10 students have been released so far, while the remaining 29 students are still being held captive.
The abductors have demanded N500 million for their release but the Kaduna State Government has insisted that it will not negotiate with criminals or pay ransom.
However, some parents recently confirmed having contacts with the bandits and insisted on negotiating against the stance of the State government which has threatened to sanction anyone that goes against its position.
In the latest release, the government affirmed its commitment to continuously work towards crushing bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements in the State.
The State Government made this declaration in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan.
It explained that, “We believe that most people of goodwill share this desire, and we urge everyone to be wary of those who see in the misery of others only an opportunity for needless controversy.”
The statement titled “Between El-Rufai and parents of abducted students is empathy,” further noted that, “Contrary to the mischief in some sections of the media, the bond between Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai and the parents of the abducted students of Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, and other citizens in captivity, is deep empathy amid spirited efforts to secure them.
“The Governor will continue to work hard until banditry is contained, without succumbing to emotional blackmail and gradual politicization of the unfortunate situation.
“For instance, some section of the media have been reporting the parents responses to purported threat by the Governor to prosecute them, which is simply false and deeply mischievous.
“The statement of the Government warning impostors who have been presenting themselves as Government-appointed emissaries to negotiate with bandits across the State, has nothing to do with the parents or relatives of the abducted students or any other person in captivity.
“It was rather directed primarily to some identified individuals exploiting the security situation in the State, and neighboring States.
“Finally, the State Government will not join issues with the parents whose pain we understand and with whom we share the common goal of the return of all the abducted students,” the statement said.
