The apex northern socio-cultural body, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has revealed why it is against the payment of ransom to bandits to secure the release of abducted persons.
In a statement released by its National Publicity Secretary, Emmanuel Yawe, in Kaduna on Saturday, the ACF said the government can negotiate with bandits but not pay ransom.
Reacting to the release of students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka, Kaduna state, on Friday, the forum thanked Nigerians who risked their lives in the negotiating process to free those held hostages by bandits.
The statement reads: “We thank God for saving their lives and rejoice with their families both immediate and extended.
“Our only regret is that millions of naira were alleged to have been paid to the bandits before they granted freedom to the kidnapped students.”
The ACF appealed to the bandits holding other innocent people to set them free without further delay.
“Whatever may be the grievances of the kidnappers against society, spilling innocent blood will not be a solution,” the ACF said.
Meanwhile, bandits have killed not less than eleven persons, while three others sustained injuries in Tsatskiya town, Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State on Saturday.
It was gathered that three injured persons are receiving treatment at Dutsin-Ma General Hospital.
The attackers invaded the town around 9:30 am. There are claims that there was reprisal over the killing of their informant by the residents.
There are reports that four days before the attack, villagers had identified and killed an informant who was working for the bandits.
A source disclosed that the attackers, who arrived on motorcycles, immediately began shooting indiscriminately which led to the death of 11 people.
Villagers have continued to migrate, leaving their homes for Dutsin-Ma to seek refuge.