The nine French Language students of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Kaduna state who were kidnapped Sunday last week, have been freed.
The nine students were on their way to Lagos, for an immersion programme at the Nigerian French Language Village (NFLV) in Badagry, when they came under attack by armed kidnappers along the Kaduna-Abuja highway.
The Kaduna state government confirmed that two people were killed during the incident, while the nine captives were rescued from the kidnappers by security operatives.
ABU’s Director of Public Affairs, Malam Auwal Umar, however confirmed the release of the students to Blueprint on Sunday.
“Yes, I can confirm to you that the students have been released. They were released yesterday (Saturday) night and most of them have already been reunited with their families,” he said.
Even though the University’s spokesman declined comment on the ransom paid before the students were freed, the victims’ colleagues confirmed that N1 million was paid on each of the nine students.
Also, the campus blog of the University, ABU” Campus Connect @ABU_Campus, confirmed that the students were released after a ransom of N1 million was paid per head.
ABU” Campus Connect @ABU_Campus wrote on Twitter, “Breaking News: Our #ABU9 Students have been released after the payment of 1 million per head.”
Kidnappers of the students had earlier demanded a cumulative ransom of N270 million for the release of the students.
One of the students who escaped the kidnap attack with a gunshot wound, Dickson Oko, was reported to have said the kidnappers reached out to the families of the students, demanding for N30 million each for their freedom.
The ransom was however later reduced to a cumulative N9 million (N1 million per victim).
