The Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, on Tuesday disclosed that his administration will not negotiate with bandits, adding that clerics can negotiate with the criminals.
This is coming after bandits abducted 39 students from the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka in the Igabi Local Government Area of the state.
The bandits in a video that was released on Sunday had requested the sum of N500 million for the release of the students.
El-Rufai while speaking at the security meeting with the State Security Council and traditional rulers at the Council Chambers of Sir Kashim Ibrahim House on Tuesday said his job as governor is to enforce the law and help to prosecute people who commit offences.
“We will not engage with bandits or kidnappers. Private citizens like clerics and clergymen can do so in their individual capacities, to preach to them and ask them to repent.”
“We also want them to repent but it is not our job to ask them to do so.”
Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Government has confirmed that bandits abducted three teachers at the Rema Primary School, Magajin Gari Ward 2, Brinin Gwari Local Government Area of the state on Monday.
The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs in the state, Samuel Aruwan, while speaking during a press conference said no pupil was abducted.