Governor Bello, reject N500 million naira, ransom demand as bandits cling to kagara school boys.

Nigerian Governor, reject N500 million naira, ransom demand as bandits cling to kagara school boys.

Sheikh Gumi met with the lawbreakers in the Dutson-Maghaji forest to demand their pardon.

Yesterday, 27 students and 15 others who were kidnapped at the Kagara Government School of Science in Niger State were initially freed, but later fell into a mud. The robber insisted on a ransom of 500 million naira, and then released the abductees and those kidnapped on the NSTA bus earlier this week.

The bandits attacked the school last Wednesday, killing a student in the process.

Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, Secretary of the Government of Niger, is negotiating with bandits. He said that bandits also demand the release of people detained by security agencies.

Security personnel have been able to determine the place of detention of the abductees. Governor Abubakar Sani Belo put pressure on the bandits for most of yesterday, but they refused to give in.

On Thursday, Kaduna-based clergy Sheikh Ahmed Gumi joined in the release of the abductees, when he met with bandits in the forest with some government officials, but was unable to ensure their freedom due to ransom.

Governor Bello insisted that he would not pay ransom to the bandits and that the kidnappers must be released unconditionally.

He said his position was based on the awareness that collected ransoms were used to buy more weapons and ammunition, which were used to intimidate people.

The governor said that once the bandits lay down their arms, he was ready to resettle them and help them live a normal life.

Governor Bello addressed the media in Minna yesterday afternoon, confirming that the abductees had not been released, but said that "they may be released in a few hours or days."

At present, there is no information other than the information we have. Our priority is to ensure that we allow students to return safely. Things are speculated or rumored, but in this case, we can't deal with them. He said.

The governor pointed out that the state is using kinetic and non-kinetic energy measures to bring children back to safety and ensure that the parents and families of victims are full of hope when making every effort.

At the same time, it has been confirmed that the abducted Kagara students and others, as well as those abducted from the NSTA bus, were taken hostage in the Düssen-Magaji Forest in the local government district of the country.

The forest is the place where Sheikh Gumi and some government officials met with heavily armed bandits on Thursday, led by people identified as Dogo Gide.

Gumi reminded the bandits that Islam opposes the taking of innocent lives and calls on them to lay down their arms and embrace peace.

He said he would continue discussions with the state governments to explore any assistance and support that the government will provide to them to achieve the set goals.

In separate speeches, some commanders praised the state government's peace process.

The highlight of this occasion is that Sheikh Ahmed Gumi distributed Islamic books to bandits to teach them Islamic teaching.

The Niger national SSG in the Gumi Group also addressed the bandits and their commanders in the Dutsenmagaji forest, urging them to accept the peace dialogue initiated by the government.

He said that the peace dialogue will end the security challenges facing the country.

Matane also called on bandit commanders to support the government's efforts to ensure the release of all abductees in the state.

He said that religious leaders and other stakeholders will participate in government-sponsored peace operations involving bandits, kidnappers and cattle thefts.

Governor Belo later confirmed that after the clergy met with the bandits, he held discussions with Sheikh Gumi, adding that he asked him to put all his comments and suggestions in the memorandum and send them back to him when he arrived in Kaduna.

The meeting between the two yesterday was very brief, and Gommy is said to have told Governor the results of his conversation with bandit leaders, whose name is now Dogo Gide.

In a brief interview with reporters after meeting with the governor, Gumi confirmed that negotiations with bandits were still in progress, adding that the government should grant amnesty to all bandits like the armed elements in the Niger Delta.

The clergy claimed that the bandits were abducted from armed elements in the Niger Delta, and said that anyone who continued criminal activities after the amnesty should be dealt with.

The result of the meeting was very positive, because one of the warring factions said that they had very simple complaints and dissatisfactions. We hope we can solve this problem," said Kumei.

Bandit leaders promised to release the abductees.

At the same time, Dogo Guild, leader of Zangfala bandits who control the forests of southern Zamfara, promised that the abducted teachers and students of the Kagara Government Science Institute in the Niger State would be released soon.

Dogo Guid made a commitment when he met with government officials of the Niger state with the intervention of Sheikh Gumi in Duchin Magagji, who intervened in the Kotunkoro forest in Zangfala region.

Kidd said that although the abductee was not in his camp, he would negotiate with his bandit companions to speed up their release.

He said: "The abductees, whether in Zamfara or any other neighboring countries, Niger, Kebi and Kaduna, will be released soon."

He explained that Fulanis had no choice but to carry weapons and engage in banditry because they faced pressure from all angles.

He mentioned in particular that vigilante groups and Yansake continued to attack and kill Fulani, and then the army bombed their camps.

Kidd promised, however, that with the intervention of Sheikh Gumi, they would ensure the release of the abductees.

He also promised to accept the peace process advocated by Sheikh Gumi, provided that the governors are really serious about this issue.

Rafay LGA attacks again.

Despite the presence of a large number of security personnel in Rafi LGA in Niger State, bandits attacked again yesterday afternoon, killing one person in the Madaka community.

A member of a local militia group said that several people were kidnapped in the attack.

The community belongs to the local government association of Kagara. On Wednesday, 42 people (mostly children) were taken hostage by bandits, who attacked the government science school.

It is said that the bandits also camped before going to school. The new attack took place at about 2 p.m. when the bandits asked the villagers to attend the wedding along the Madak-Kagara road.

The gang ambushed another group of people returning from the Madaka market.

Resident Yunusa Acha said that one of the fugitives told them about the development.

He said, "The villagers went to the Madaka market. On their way back, the bandits attacked them and kidnapped them. No one knows the actual number.