Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has rejoiced with the families of the 29 remaining students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation Afaka in Kaduna State as they regained their freedom after spending 55 days in captivity.
Atiku’s reaction came in a series of tweets in which he also prayed for the release of the abducted Greenfield University students.
The Afaka students, who were abducted on March 11, 2021, were released by their abductors on Wednesday.
They are said to be currently undergoing medical examination at a health facility in Kaduna.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Kaduna, ASP Mohammed Jalige confirmed the release of the students.
A total of 39 students were abducted from their hostel on the night of the incident, but 10 of them were later released.
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The military had engaged the attackers at the time of the attack and was able to take back 180 staff and students to safety.
The abductors had made a demand of N500 million ransom to release the students, but the Kaduna State Government said it would not negotiate with nor pay ransom to bandits and terrorists.
Parents of the students have been agitating for the release of their children, and had staged a protest at the National Assembly on Tuesday to draw the lawmakers attention.
Reacting to their release, Atiku wrote, “I rejoice with the families and friends of the 27 students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka, near Kaduna, following their release from captivity. Congratulations to all those who made their freedom possible.
“Similarly, it is my prayer and hope that students of Greenfield University, also in Kaduna and all others in captivity in different parts of the country will be freed from abduction.”