TheCable

The Kaduna state police command says it is negotiating with the kidnappers of six female students and two teachers of the Engraver’s College in Kakau Daji, Chikun local government area of the state.

Ali Janga, the commissioner of police in the state, made this known at a news conference in Kaduna.

The victims were abducted on October 3 at the school. The kidnappers were said to have entered the school through a porous fence and went straight to the female hostel where the students were taken.

Janga said the police opted to talk to the kidnappers so as not to put the lives of the girls at risk.

“We are negotiating with the kidnappers to rescue these students and their teachers. We know the location of the kidnappers but we do not want to endanger their lives,” Janga said.

“Most of these kidnappers are operating under the influence of hard drugs, so killing is nothing to them, this is why we are still negotiating with them and as soon as the victims are released, we will go after them.

“We are assuring the people of Kaduna state that we will arrest these kidnappers very soon.

“Mistake has been made by the school authority, but we will do our best to ensure the release of these victims.”

The CP also said the command had arrested 50 suspects allegedly involved in various criminal activities across the state and recovered 27 guns.

He said those who abducted Ahmad Algarkawi, a prominent Islamic scholar, and Suleiman Dabo, a member of the state assembly were  among the 50 suspects.