Metro
After Over 170 Days In Captivity, Terrorists Free 9 Varsity Students
Nine of the 21 students kidnapped from the Federal University Gusau in Zamfara State have been released after enduring 178 days in captivity.
The students were part of a larger group abducted by terrorists from an off-campus hostel in Sabon Gida, located opposite the university, during a raid in September of the previous year.
The release was secured following prolonged negotiations spanning approximately four months, as disclosed by one of the negotiators to PREMIUM TIMES, preferring to remain anonymous.
The painstaking process involved intense lobbying efforts to ensure the safety and eventual freedom of the abducted students.
Upon their abduction last September, a swift response from security forces resulted in the rescue of some victims within hours of the incident.
However, the majority remained in the clutches of their captors, leading to a protracted period of negotiation for their release.
The negotiator revealed to PREMIUM TIMES that the terrorists explicitly stated their actions were not motivated by ransom demands, suggesting alternative motives behind the abduction.
The exact reasons, however, remain part of the ongoing investigation and discourse surrounding the incident.
The student abduction from the Federal University Gusau has been a focal point of concern, highlighting the persistent security challenges in Zamfara State and the broader northwestern region of Nigeria, where educational institutions have increasingly become targets for terrorist and bandit activities.
The release of the nine students marks a glimmer of hope amid the prevailing insecurity and brings relief to the affected families and the university community.
Nonetheless, the situation underscores the urgent need for enhanced security measures and strategic interventions to prevent future occurrences and ensure the safety of students and residents in the region.
“We began discussing with them immediately after the students were taken. They were reluctant in the beginning but when we insisted, they listened to us,” he said.
He said Ali Kawaje, the leader of the terror group that carried out the abduction, was angry with both the federal and Zamfara State governments for arresting his brother.
“He insisted that we must make amends,” the negotiator said, asking not to be named for safety reasons.
The negotiator said after Mr Kawaje was killed in an air raid by the Nigeria Air Force, the negotiations started afresh as the new group commander insisted the students would not be released.
“It took us weeks to convince him, with the help of some Fulani leaders. When we resumed the discussion, they insisted that the reason for the abduction was not for money but to have some of their relatives released by security agents.
“These nine students were released as part of commitments by some of the Fulani leaders we involved in the negotiations,” he said.
When asked if money was involved, the negotiator said the terrorists themselves were “clear from the beginning” that no money should be involved.
“Even the people they’re saying the federal government should release, we’re yet to know who and who they’re talking about. So, we didn’t talk to the government about money and secondly, there was no prisoner swap. That’s what I can tell you,” he said.
The students were held by the terrorists in Babbar Doka forest near Kaduna State. They were released late evening on Friday and handed over to the negotiators.
“This is part of the commitment and we believe that by the grace of God, they’ll release more. We’re hopeful that with the involvement of the National Security Adviser, we’ll do more. The most important thing is that no money is involved in the process,” he said.
The students have been handed over to security agencies who are expected to hand them over to the state government later today.
A security expert, Bulama Bukarti, has claimed that the Lakurawa terror group currently causing havoc in Sokoto and Kebbi states is not new.
Bukarti said the group has been in the country since about six years ago, alleging that they usually enter the country from Niger Republic.
The Defence Headquarters recently raised an alarm about the emergence of a new terrorist group called Lakurawa in the northwestern part of Nigeria.
According to reports, the group has launched deadly attacks in some parts of the region, killing unsuspecting citizens.
Speaking on the development, Bukarti, who was featured on a Channels TV programme on Monday, said the group has been “sporadically living or camping in the northwestern part of Nigeria for over six years now.
“They first started illegally entering Nigeria around 2016, 2017 but they did not stay permanently.
“What they do—and that’s what they do still today—is that they move in, stay for a few months, and then they go back to the Sahel or wherever they are coming from in Niger [Republic].”
He claimed security agencies, especially the Department of State Services, DSS, were aware of the existence of the group.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) says three persons died in a road accident that occurred in the Ayeyoro community in the Epe LGA of the state.
Adebayo Taofiq, the LASTMA director of public affairs, said the accident involved a Dangote truck, a tricycle, and a Toyota Camry.
Taofiq said the accident occurred after the truck suffered a “critical brake failure” while descending from Ita-Opo and collided with a tricycle and a stationary Toyota Camry before veering into the Ayetoro market complex in Epe.
He said the driver of the tricycle and two students at the Manpower Technical School lost their lives in the accident.
“First responders from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), with the assistance of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), swiftly arrived on the scene to secure the area,” the statement reads.
“The deceased were respectfully transported to the Epe General Hospital mortuary.
“Prompt efforts were made to clear the wreckage, including the Dangote truck, to alleviate traffic congestion and safeguard other road users.”
The LASTMA spokesperson said three persons were injured in another road accident at Ijaye, Abule-Egba area of Lagos.
He said the accident involved an LT bus (FKJ 762 AD) and a Toyota Hiace bus (MUS 154 YE).
Taofiq added that the three persons, including a driver and two passengers, were rescued and taken to a nearby medical facility for treatment.
Also, he said three persons—two females and one male—were rescued from a multi-vehicle collision at Tsunami Bridge, inward Ketu area of Lagos.
The LASTMA spokesperson said the accident involved two Volkswagen commercial buses and a 10-tyre DAF truck.
He said the injured were taken to a nearby hospital for immediate medical intervention, while officers from Alapere police station provided essential security support during the rescue operations.
Olalekan Bakare-Oki, the LASTMA general manager, urged motorists to ensure that their vehicles, particularly the braking systems, are in optimal condition before setting out on any journey.
A man in a viral video on Social Media has cried out that his best friend who was present on his wedding day was responsible for the only male child out of the three children he had with his wife of eight years.
This was revealed after his suspicion about the faithfulness of his wife to him, he decided to go for DNA that finally revealed the paternity of the three children.
He said his wife had earlier denied the DNA result until later when she finally confessed that the boy belonged to his best friend.
The people that gathered slapped the woman for cheating on her husband, she was for to show her face in the video.
WATCH THE VIDEO:
Change Negative Narrative About EFCC Being Used For Settling Political Scores- Reps
Trouble looming for Obaseki as Gov Okpebholo orders probe of his admin
Naira may depreciate to N1,993 against dollar – Report
Just in: Terrorists ambush military truck, kill all soldiers on board
Nigerian Dancer, Korra Obidi Attacked with acid, stabbed on stage In UK
Meet Rare Gem 16 Years Old Chiaza, CEO of ‘RUN MARKET PLACE’
-
Metro22 hours agoICPC Arraigns House Of Reps Ex-Member For Money Laundering
-
Foreign21 hours agoPresident Trump Makes Several Key Appointments (FULL LIST)
-
Metro22 hours agoKidnap victim escapes abductors’ den in Delta
-
News14 hours agoBREAKING! Heavy explosion rocks Jos
-
Entertainment22 hours agoWizkid creates dance challenge for his song ‘Dance’, fans react
-
News21 hours agoTinubu Acknowledges Unprecedented Hardship In Nigeria
-
Sports22 hours agoWhy Joseph Paintsil has withdrawn from Ghana squad for Angola, Niger games
-
News21 hours agoCourt Adjourns Agunloye Trial as EFCC Pushes to Amend Charges in Mambilla Power Project Case