Bandits, who abducted children attending Salihu Tanko Islamiyya School in Tegina town in Rafi Local Government of Niger State, have demanded N110m ransom for their release.
The school headmaster, Alhaji Abubakar Alhassan, disclosed this on Tuesday, saying the bandits made contact with the school on Monday to demand for the ransom.
On Sunday, May 30, gunmen invaded Tegina community in Rafi Local Government Area, shot one person dead, left one seriously injured and abducted a yet to be confirmed number of Islamiyya students from Salihu Tanko Islamic School alongside some passengers travelling to Minna.
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He said the bandits made contact with the school on Monday to demand for the ransom.
Alhassan told reporters the bandits claimed to have 156 children in their custody, adding they threatened to kill them if the ransom is not paid.
He lamented the State Government has insisted that it would not pay the ransom but would engage in negotiation with the bandits.
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It was gathered that parents of the children and the community have started soliciting funds for release of their children.
Niger Deputy Governor, Ahmed Ketso has stated the government would not pay ransom for the release of the children.
He said the government believes that negotiation would work like it did during Kagara boys abduction.
