Bandits Issue 7-Day Ultimatum for Abducted Zamfara Varsity Students

Parents of students abducted from the Federal University Gusau (FUG) in Zamfara State are urgently appealing to the federal government for swift action to save their children. The plea comes in response to a recent threat by the bandits responsible, who issued a 7-day ultimatum, threatening to harm the female students if their demands are not met.

Evidence indicates a change in leadership among the bandits holding the students captive. The new leader, now in custody of the students, is demanding the release of certain bandit commanders held by security forces as a condition for sparing the lives of the abducted students. Since the abduction, an underground dialogue led by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Defence Headquarters, and the Department of State Service (DSS) has been in progress.

WhatsApp messages from the abductors, including audios reportedly released by the late bandits’ leader Ali Kachalla’s foot soldiers, reveal threats to slaughter some of the students unless their demands are met. The bandits emphasize the release of their detained colleagues as a crucial condition for the safety of the abducted students.

Ali Kachalla, the original mastermind behind the abduction, was killed during a reconnaissance operation by the Nigerian Air Force in Niger State. His death appears to have unsettled his co-criminals, leading to increased threats and a change in leadership among the bandits.

Distraught parents are urging the government to reconsider its kinetic approach and instead opt for dialogue, emphasizing past instances of negotiations with non-state actors. They fear that a forceful rescue operation may endanger the lives of the abducted students.

The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) assures the public that the safety of the girls will not be compromised, highlighting ongoing efforts to ensure their release. The Department of State Services (DSS) reiterates its commitment to employing lawful means to ensure the safety of all abductees.

As the crisis unfolds, concerns arise about the well-being of the students, some reportedly weakened due to malnutrition, dehydration, and diarrhea. Meanwhile, the bandits have elected a new leader, Dan Rani, prompting calls for a comprehensive approach, both kinetic and non-kinetic, to address the crisis in the North West region.

The situation remains highly sensitive, with the fate of the abducted students hanging in the balance. Parents, security forces, and the government are grappling with the complexity of the situation as they seek a resolution. The nation watches anxiously as the countdown to the bandits’ ultimatum continues.