Students Abducted from Al-Qalam University in Katsina Released After 30 Days in Captivity

The kidnapped students of Al-Qalam University in Katsina State have been released from their captors after enduring a harrowing 30 days in captivity. The news was confirmed by the father of one of the abductees.

The victims, identified as Habiba Shatali (200-level, Political Science), Mariam Musa (400-level, Microbiology), and Yusuf Abdulazeez (400-level, Mathematics), were abducted on January 14, 2024, near Kurfi, Dutsinma, while returning to school from Minna, Niger State.

Having traveled home for the Christmas and New Year break, the trio met at a Minna motor park, deciding to travel together back to school. Tragically, they fell victim to gunmen, suspected to be bandits, on their journey.

After 18 days of captivity, the parents of Maryam and Habiba wrote a letter to the Niger State Governor, Alhaji Umoru Mohammed Bago, urging urgent intervention and the release of their children.

“I’m pleased to inform you that my daughter, who had been in captivity for over a month, regained her freedom alongside others yesterday night, February 14, 2024, at about 8 pm. Both are in good health as of present,” stated the relieved father of one of the victims.

The bandits initially demanded a ransom of N100 million for each student but later reduced it to N50 million and eventually to N25 million. However, there has been no communication from the Katsina State Government or Commissioner of Police, leaving parents in limbo as they struggle to raise the funds.

Expressing concern, a source close to the situation said, “Till today, we have not heard anything from the Katsina State Government and Commissioner of Police. Nobody is talking to us on the matter. As we speak, no parents have been able to raise the money.”

The public has voiced condemnation over the perceived lack of government responsiveness to the students’ plight, calling for a comprehensive approach to rescue the victims. The Secretary of the National Association of Nigerian Students in Niger State, Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, urged collaboration between the state governments of Niger and Katsina to expedite the safe return of the students. He expressed confidence that the Niger State Government is diligently working towards ensuring the students’ secure return.