The ordeal of kidnapped students from Al-Qalam University in Katsina State has finally come to an end as they regain their freedom after spending 30 harrowing days in the terrorists’ den. This confirmation came from the father of one of the abductees, shedding light on their release on Wednesday night.
The students, including Habiba Shatali, a 200-level Political Science student, Mariam Musa, a 400-level Microbiology student, and Yusuf Abdulazeez, a 400-level Mathematics student, were abducted while en route from Minna, Niger State, to Katsina on January 14, 2024. Their journey back to school after the holiday season took a terrifying turn as they were ambushed by gunmen suspected to be bandits near Kurfi, Dutsinma.
Travelling together from Minna after the break, the students found themselves in a nightmarish situation when gunmen intercepted their journey. Despite desperate pleas from their families, the students endured captivity for over two weeks, prompting their parents to appeal to the Niger State Governor for immediate intervention.
Following a distressing period of negotiations and uncertainty, the abductees’ families finally received the news of their children’s freedom, bringing immense relief. The kidnappers had initially demanded a hefty ransom of N100 million for each student, later reducing it to N50 million and eventually to N25 million.
Despite the reduced ransom, challenges remained as parents struggled to gather the required funds. Criticism mounted against the perceived indifference of government authorities, underscoring the urgent need for concerted efforts to secure the students’ safe release.
In response to the students’ plight, the National Association of Nigerian Students in Niger State urged collaborative action between the state and Katsina State governments to expedite the students’ release. Despite the challenges, there is optimism that concerted efforts will ensure the safe return of the students to their families.
