Kidnappers Demand N50 Million Ransom for Abducted KSU Students

Two students of Kogi State University, Kabba, have been abducted by unknown assailants, who are demanding a ransom of N50 million for their release. This is a disturbing incident that has gripped the univeristy community and its neighbours. 

The abduction took place on August 2, 2024, at the same location where Dare Micheal, the Caretaker Chairman of Kabba/Bunu Council, and three of his aides were also kidnapped. While the Chairman, Zacheous Dare, was released due to ill health, the three aides and the two students were taken to an unknown location.

Initially, the kidnappers demanded a ransom of N100 million, but the amount has since been reduced to N50 million. The captors have remained firm in their demands, placing immense pressure on the families of the abducted students.

Shadrach Babalola, the father of one of the kidnapped students, Isaac Babalola, a Public Administration student, revealed the agonizing week his family has endured. He shared that the kidnappers have been relentless, insisting that the parents are not taking the situation seriously.

"Anytime they (kidnappers) called and ask for N50m and we tell them we don't have such amount, they tell us we are not serious about the lives of our wards," Babalola lamented.

The situation has been further complicated by the silence of both the Kogi State Police Command and the university. The police claimed to be unaware that students were among those abducted, and the university has yet to issue any formal statement regarding the incident.

As anxiety continues to mount, the families of the abducted students and the wider community are desperately hoping for a resolution to this harrowing ordeal.