Bandits Keeping Islamiyya school pupils in poor conditions - Freed ransome bearer

File Photo: Bandits and Security Threats     {Picture Credit: ndlink.org}

The man seized by kidnappers after delivering a N30 million ransom for the release of 136 pupils of Salihu Tanko Islamiyya School, Tegina in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, has described how the pupils are being kept in “disturbing” conditions, Premium Times reports.

According to the report, the pupils were abducted by the bandits from their school on May 30 and are still being held by the bandits despite a global outrage.

The ransom bearer provided an insight to how they are being held after his own release on Monday.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how Kasimu Barangana was sent along side six others to deliver the ransom but was seized by the bandits over an alleged shortfall of N4.6 million in the N30 million ransom.

Mr Barangana told PREMIUM TIMES after he was released on Monday that the children were being kept in poor conditions in 25 different camps.

“The pupils were separated into 25 groups in the forest, with each group being monitored by different gangs in fear of attacks.

“I was taken round the enclave to see the children and I found their conditions disturbing,” Mr Barangana said.

However, he said the bandits did not maltreat him.

“While I was in the forest with the kidnappers I was given fair treatment, I fed on beef throughout my stay with them. They gave me N11, 000 as transport fare, they are very kind to me.

“We should just be praying for the safe return of the pupils. But I cannot say exactly when they will be released because they are demanding five new motorcycles as another ransom for the release of the school pupils,” Mr Barangana said.

Before they sent the N30 million ransom, the parents had earlier sent N25 million, some parents and one of the schools teachers, Yakubu Idris, earlier told PREMIUM TIMES.