Kaduna: Kidnappers Demand Ransom For Release Of Greenfield University Students

Gunmen who kidnapped students and staff Greenfield University, Kaduna State have reportedly made a ransom demand to free victims.

According to Vanguard, a cousin of one of the kidnapped students, Georgiana Stephen, said the kidnappers are demanding a sum of N800 million ransom.

“Negotiations are going on; the kidnappers have contacted some family members, asking for the payment of N800 million,”

She said the abductors asked her family to pay N8 million ransom before they could secure the release of their sister from captivity.

READ ALSO: What You Need To Know About Greenfield University, Kaduna

According to Georgiana, the abducted 23 students were mainly girls, including six boys. She said the kidnappers were subjecting the students to torture, saying unless the ransom was paid, all the students in captivity would be killed.

Further confirming the attack on Greenfield University yesterday, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs in Kaduna State, Samuel Aruwan, said in a statement that on Tuesday night, the Ministry received distress calls of an attack by armed bandits on the Greenfield University, situated at Kasarami, off the Kaduna-Abuja Road in Chikun LGA.

According to him, troops of Operation Thunder Strike (OPTS) and other operatives swiftly moved to the location and the armed bandits retreated.

He said: “After search-and-rescue operations, a staff member of the university, Paul Ude Okafor, was confirmed to have been killed by the armed bandits, while a number of students were kidnapped. “The security operatives took custody of the remaining students who have been handed over to the institution, as at noon today, Wednesday 21st April 2021.

READ ALSO: Scores Kidnapped As Gunmen Attack Greenfield University Kaduna

“The actual number of students kidnapped is still being sought from the institution’s records,” he said. “Troops and other security operatives are working in the general area, and the public will be informed of further developments.”

However, State Police Command's Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Jalige, said security operatives had been deployed to the general area for search and rescue operation.