The Federal Government made it clear on Wednesday that it will not negotiate or pay any ransom for the release of over 280 pupils and teachers who were kidnapped from Government Secondary School and LEA Primary School in Kuriga, Kaduna State.
The Federal Government has also stated that it received offers of assistance from the United States and other countries to secure the student’s release and is evaluating the offers.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, revealed this information to State House Correspondents at the conclusion of Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council meeting at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
Idris claimed that the security agencies were working tirelessly to secure the release of the students and teachers abducted on March 7, assuring their safe return.
The Federal Government's response came shortly after Kaduna-based Muslim cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, volunteered to initiate a dialogue with the terrorists who kidnapped the pupils.
According to reports, the terrorists stormed Kuriga in Chikun Local Government Area, shooting at their targets before kidnapping the students and teachers from both schools.
Due to security threats to the council, locals mentioned that the secondary section of the school was moved to the primary school.
Gumi advised Tinubu not to make the same mistake as his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, who refused to negotiate with bandits, and recommended that the President should grant him the opportunity to negotiate for the release of the abducted schoolchildren.
The information minister also added that the Ministry of Defence is putting in great efforts to ensure the safe return of the abducted children to their homes.
President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, disclosed to journalists that the FG was being supported by the United States government to secure the release of the students, teachers, and IDPs.
