Three of the abducted students from Greenfield University in Nigeria’s northwestern Kaduna state have been found dead.
Armed bandits on Tuesday night kidnapped an unspecified number of students at the institution located at Kasarami village off Kaduna-Abuja Road in Chikun LGA.
The Kaduna State Government has a no ransom payment policy with the governor, Nasir El-Rufai, firmly of the view that payment of ransoms to kidnappers only encourages more kidnappings.
The state has however been affected mostly in recent times by rampant kidnappings by bandits.
Samuel Aruwan, the Kaduna state commissioner for internal security and home affairs, confirmed the development in a statement on Friday.
“In an act of mindless evil and sheer wickedness, the armed bandits who kidnapped students of Greenfield University, have shot dead three of the abducted students,” Mr Aruwan said.
“The remains of three students were found today (Friday), in Kwanan Bature village, a location close to the university, and have been evacuated to a mortuary by the Commissioner, Internal Security and Home Affairs, and Force Commander, Operation Thunder Strike, Lt.Col. MH Abdullahi.
“Governor Nasir El-Rufai has condemned the killing of three students as sheer wickedness, inhumanity and an outright desecration of human lives by vile entities. He went on to say that the armed bandits represent the worst of humankind and must be fought at all cost for the violent wickedness they represent.”
In the statement, the commissioner quoted the Governor as saying “evil will not triumph over God-given humanity. He appealed to citizens to come together against the forces of darkness challenging national security and the very existence of the Nigerian State.
“The Governor, on behalf of the Government and people of Kaduna State sent deep condolences and empathy to the students’ families and the university community, as he prayed for the repose of their souls.
“The Government will keep citizens informed of further developments.”
By Abel Ejikeme
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