Kagara: FG May Swap Arrested Bandits For Abducted Schoolchildren

In a bid to secure the release of the abducted staffs and students of Government Science College, Kagara, Niger State, there are speculations indicating that the Federal Government may consider releasing some arrested bandits in exchange for the schoolboys.

The group of bandits responsible for the abduction made it known on Friday that it wants its members arrested by security agencies released as a condition to free the abductees

AllNews had reported that bandits in military uniform stormed the government school around 2 am on Wednesday and killed a Senior Secondary School 3 pupil who raised the alarm in the process, while many others were abducted.

However, as part of the effort to secure the release of the victims, officials of the Niger and Zamfara state governments were reported to have met some bandits at Dustin Magaji of Kotonkoro Forest in Rafi.

According to the report, the forest connects the four states of Kebbi, Zamfara, Niger and Kaduna.

Also, a popular Kaduna-based cleric, Ahmad Gumi met an influential leader of a bandit group, who know the bandits responsible for the abduction to broker a negotiation with them.

READ ALSO: Kagara Abduction: JNI Wants FG To Take Decisive Action Against Criminality

Speaking to the Punch, Gumi said that the abductors were demanding the release of their members arrested by security agents as well.

He said, “I met with people who know the people responsible for the abduction, which is one step ahead. Before now, when there was a kidnapping, we wouldn’t know those responsible, but now, we have met a leader who knows these people because he is commanding a large area and knows the person who did it and he is going to speak to him and plead with him to release the abducted pupils and other victims.

Since there is a peace process going on, they should release them. They (the bandits) too have people arrested by security agents. So, I am telling people, this is turning into an insurgency.”

Asked if the bandits gave the release of their arrested members as a condition of the release of the victims, Gumi said, “They did not really give it as a condition.

"We are just saying, ‘Please release them,’ and they said, ‘Okay, we will release the pupils and staff members of the school, but we also want you people to consider our people (bandits) that were arrested.”

“We hope they (students) will be released soon because he (the influential leader) said he knows the man and he is going to talk to him,” he added.

He, however, maintained that the latest kidnapping by the bandits had reinforced his call for amnesty, adding that he was happy that people had started seeing reason with him.

He said, “It is not magic, I am telling you. I am not a criminal and I am not cajoling any government but I want peace in this country.”

“People now understand me more and more. These people are harmed; just tell them: ‘Drop your arms, I will not pursue you legally; repent, I will rehabilitate you and I will build schools for you.’ You can’t go by force or with confrontation.”

Meanwhile, Governor Sani Bello of Niger state has declared that he won't bow to ransom demands that will put money in the pockets of the bandits.

The governor said he is ready to offer a new lease of life' to kidnappers who abducted students if they change their criminal ways.