Eighteen days after several students of the Al Qalam University, Katsina, were kidnapped enroute to the school, the parents have cried out over the failure of security forces and the Katsina State Government to secure their release.
Parents of two of the students, Maryam and Habiba in a letter to the Niger State Governor, Alhaji Umoru Mohammed Bago urged him to urgently intervene and ensure the release of the students.
The students were kidnapped on Sunday, 14th January 2024, when the vehicle taking them from Minna in Niger State was hijacked around Ummadau, Tsaskiya, Safana, Katsina State.
Five days after the girls were abducted the bandits contacted the parents and demanded a ransom of N50 million to secure their release. The ransom figure was later reduced to N25 million by the bandits.
The family in the letter to Governor Bago signed by Ruqaiyya Musa expressed their fears and distress over the incident and asked the governor’s intervention.
“I am writing to you with a heavy heart and deep concern about the recent kidnapping of Maryam and Habiba, Indigenes of Borgu Local Government in Niger state, and students of Al Qalam University, Katsina. As parents, we are devastated and filled with fear for the safety of our beloved daughters.
“The pain and anguish we feel are indescribable. Our daughters are our world, and their absence has left a void in our lives. We cannot sleep, eat, or focus on anything else until they are safely returned to us.
“We understand that the incident occurred when their vehicle was changed instead of using the Niger State Transport Authority (NSTA) official vehicles which was booked for their journey. This has only added to our distress, as we trusted that our children would be safe in the care of the NSTA.
“We turn to you, the Leader of our great state, with hope and expectation. We implore you to use every resource at your disposal to bring Maryam and Habiba back home to us. We believe in your commitment to the security and welfare of your people, and we trust that you will do everything in your power to ensure their safe return.
“Please understand the urgency of this matter. Time is of the essence, and every passing moment feels like an eternity. We ask for your swift action, your unwavering dedication, and your tireless efforts to reunite our family”, she pleaded.
Also seeking for the urgent release of the students, the National Association of Niger State Students urged the governor to quickly intervene and ensure the safe release of the students.
The association in a statement signed by its Secretary General, Mohammed Ibrahim Buhari said besides Maryam (400 level Microbiology), Habiba (200 level Political Science), another student, Yusuf (400 level Mathematics) was among those abducted.
