‘We can’t dictate to bandits’ when to release their victims– Niger Govt

By our reporter| The Niger State Government on Saturday said it cannot dictate to the gunmen who abducted students and staff of Government Science College Kagara on Wednesday when to release their victims.

Alhaji Ibrahim Matane, Secretary to the Niger State Government who stated this in a chat with Daily Trust, however, said discussion with the bandits is ongoing as efforts are being made for all the victims to be released unhurt.

“We can’t rush them (bandits) even if we have time, we can’t dictate to them. I believe they are taking their time but at the appropriate time, when we have other information, the public will know,” he said.

Matane also debunked the rumour making round that the federal government has paid N800million for the release of the victims, insisting the federal government can not pay such amount to bandits.

The SSG to the Niger state government accompanied Sheik Ahmad Gumi, a prominent Islamic Scholar, to meet with bandits at Dutsen Magaji, Mariga Local Government Area of Niger, on Friday.

They had asked the bandits to support the government in securing the release of the abducted passengers of Niger State Transport Authority and the victims of Kagara.