TheCable

The management of Greenfield University in Kaduna state has appealed to the government to speed up efforts to ensure the safe return of students kidnapped from the institution.

Gunmen had invaded the school on Tuesday, and abducted some students and staff of the university.

On Friday, three of the students were found dead.

In a statement made available on Saturday, Bashir Muhammad, Greenfield University registrar, described the situation as overwhelming.

Muhammad added that the kidnappers had demanded a ransom of N800 million, and appealed to government and well-meaning individuals for assistance to ensure that the students still in captivity are found safe.

“We are all aware of the incidence which occurred at Greenfield University on Tuesday, 20th April, 2021 by 8:15pm, where some staff and students were abducted. Efforts have been made to secure the release of these staff and students which have not yielded the desired results,” the statement reads.

“Even so, very sad news reaching us today is that three of the students were killed and their bodies were found near the university. There were two female and one male casualties.

“Further, a ransom of 800 million naira has been demanded for our abducted staff and students. We are at this point calling on the government and people of good will who can be of assistance to come to our aid as the situation is becoming overwhelming.

“Finally, we appeal to those in custody of our staff and students to spare their lives.”

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari and Nasir el-Rufai, governor of Kaduna, have condemned the killing of the students.

El-Rufai, who described the murder as “sheer wickedness, inhumanity and an outright desecration of human lives by vile entities”, described bandits as representing “the worst of humankind and must be fought at all cost for the violent wickedness they represent”.