The bandits who kidnapped over 100 children attending Salihu Tanko Islamiyya School have demanded N110m ransom for their release.

On Sunday, May 30, armed bandits stormed the Islamic school in Tegina, in Rafi Local Government Area, Niger State, and abducted children attending Islamic lectures.

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11 children who were too young and could not walk were later released.

The school headmaster, Alhaji Abubakar Alhassan, said on Tuesday, June 1, that the abductors have now called to ask for N110m ransom. He added that the bandits made contact with the school on Monday, May 31, and threatened to kill the students if the ransom is not paid.

Alhassan told reporters the bandits claimed to have 156 children in their custody.

Alhassan said the State Government has insisted that it would not pay the ransom but would engage in negotiation with the bandits.

Deputy Governor of Niger State, Ahmed Ketso, has also stated that the government will not pay ransom for the release of the children.  He added that the government believes that negotiation will work like it did when Kagara boys were abducted.