The bandits that kidnapped the 156 Islammiyya students of Salihu Tanko Islamiyya School in Tegina, Rafi local government of Niger state, have raised ransom from N110 million to N200 million.
The school’s head-teacher and a parent of two of the abducted children, Abubakar Alhassan, disclosed this on Friday during a television interview.
21st CENTURY CHRONICLE reports that the bandits, which abducted the students from their school on May 27 when they attacked Tegina town, had earlier demanded N110 million ransom.
Niger State Deputy Governor, Mohammed Ahmed Ketso, had said while updating journalists about the development in Minna, Niger state capital, on Thursday it has begun negotiation with the bandits, but ruled out paying ransom to the assailants.
Parents of the abducted students had on Thursday said they have so far gathered N11 million as part of the amount for the ransom.
Alhassan said after the bandits reached him on his mobile phone and informed him about their decision to raise the ransom, they put off without waiting for his explanation. He said the mobile number has not been going through.
