Govt. Paid Heavily To Secure Release Of Kidnapped Kaduna Students- Nigerian Journalist Insists

A Nigerian journalist, Jaafar Jaafar, has alleged that the Nigerian government paid through its nose to secure the release of abducted Kaduna pupils.

In a post on his X handle on Sunday, the journalist claimed that no lobbying, persuasion, flattery, charm, or conning would convince the ruthlessly avaricious bandits to release hostages without payment of ransom.

The Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani had earlier announced the release of the over 100 Kuriga schoolchildren who were kidnapped by suspected bandits.

The Governor gave the news on Saturday night, confirming the freedom of the schoolchildren.

Although the abductors had demanded N1 billion as ransom as the only condition for their release, it was unclear if the children were rescued by security operatives or if the ransom was paid.

However, Jaafar claimed that President Bola Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani’s choice of words after the “rescue” of the Kuriga schoolchildren, suggested that the government paid through the nose.

He said: “The reality is that no lobbying, persuasion, flattery, charm or conning will convince the ruthlessly avaricious bandits to release hostages without payment of ransom.

“From President Tinubu to Governor Uba Sani’s choice of words after the ‘rescue’ of the Kuriga schoolchildren, you know the government paid heavily to simply rescue its image, held hostage by the worsening insecurity.

“Our leaders hardly bother taking proactive measures to stop these abductions. In hindsight, the money the government paid the bandits should have been used to resettle villages that were prone to attack.

“Government is more concerned about its image than the security of lives and property. Whenever you see a government in turbo action, its political image is concerned.”