El-Rufai speaks on threatening to prosecute parents of abducted students

The Kaduna State Government has refuted claims that governor Nasir El-Rufai threatened to prosecute parents of some abducted students in the state over their alleged decision to negotiate with the bandits.

The statement which was issued by the State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Samuel Aruwan explained that, “We believe that most people of goodwill share this desire, and we urge everyone to be wary of those who see in the misery of others only an opportunity for needless controversy.”

The statement titled “Between El-Rufai and parents of abducted students is empathy,” further noted that, “Contrary to the mischief in some sections of the media, the bond between Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai and the parents of the abducted students of Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, and other citizens in captivity, is deep empathy amid spirited efforts to secure them.

Since the Kidnap of 39 students of the College of Forestry and Mechanisation, Mado Kaduna on March, 11, 2021, only 10 students were released, while the remaining 29 students are still being held captive, with the parents threatening to negotiate with bandits, which is against the state government’s position.

They accused the state government of not doing enough to set free their Kidnapped children.

But in a statement on Friday, Mr. Samuel Aruwan said, “the Governor will continue to work hard until banditry is contained, without succumbing to emotional blackmail and gradual politicization of the unfortunate situation.

“For instance, some section of the media have been reporting the parents responses to purported threat by the Governor to prosecute them, which is simply false and deeply mischievous.

“The statement of the Government warning impostors who have been presenting themselves as Government-appointed emissaries to negotiate with bandits across the State, has nothing to do with the parents or relatives of the abducted students or any other person in captivity.

“It was rather directed primarily to some identified individuals exploiting the security situation in the State, and neighboring States.

“Finally, the State Government will not join issues with the parents whose pain we understand and with whom we share the common goal of the return of all the abducted students,” the statement said.