Security & Crime
Terrorists set 7-day deadline for release of Nigerian university students
The parents of the abducted students at the Federal University Gusau in Zamfara State are urging the federal government to take immediate action and rescue their children.
They are requesting that the government negotiate with the terrorists who are holding their children captive, similar to previous negotiations with non-state actors during the Boko Haram insurgency.
The parents made this plea after the terrorists threatened to kill some of the female students if their demands were not met.
Recent evidence has also revealed that the terrorists have appointed a new leader who now has custody of the students and is threatening to kill them if their demands are not fulfilled, including the release of certain bandits’ commanders.
There have been ongoing underground dialogues led by the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Defence Headquarters, and the Department of State Service to secure the release of the students.
Some parents have received WhatsApp messages from the abductors, warning of the potential slaughter of the students unless their demands are met.
These messages, allegedly released by the foot soldiers of the late bandits’ leader, Ali Kachalla, request the release of their detained colleagues as a condition for sparing the lives of the abducted students.
Ali Kachalla was reported to have been killed by the Nigerian Air Force in Niger State on December 13, 2023, and his death was later confirmed by the Defence Headquarters.