We were ready to lose students in planned bandits’ bombardment – El-Rufai
Eniola Akinkuotu, Victor Ayeni and Godwin Isenyo
Published 7 May 2021
Eniola Akinkuotu, Victor Ayeni and Godwin Isenyo
Published 7 May 2021
Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Thursday said when 29 students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka, Kaduna State, were abducted, the plan was to attack and kill the bandits even if it meant some students would die in the process.
El-Rufai added that Kaduna is currently at war and such would only be considered as collateral damage, a price he would be willing to pay instead of paying ransom.
Governor Nasir El-Rufai
Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Thursday said when 29 students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka, Kaduna State, were abducted, the plan was to attack and kill the bandits even if it meant some students would die in the process.
El-Rufai added that Kaduna is currently at war and such would only be considered as collateral damage, a price he would be willing to pay instead of paying ransom.
The governor, however, said before this could be done, the bandits hurriedly changed location which led to the students spending over a month in captivity.
The governor said this on Thursday during a webinar organised by the Africa Leadership Group.
Nasir El-Rufai, the Kaduna State Governor on Thursday revealed that but for the timely release of the 29 abducted students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka, Kaduna State, his plan was to attack and kill the bandits even if the students became collateral damage.
El-Rufai added that somehow, the bandits got hint of the planned attack and hurriedly changed location which led to the students spending over a month in captivity.
El Rufai revealed this during webinar organised by the Africa Leadership Group tagged: ‘Developing a Viable Nation 2’ was hosted by Pastor of Trinity House Church, Ituah Ighodalo.
Responding to a question on his refusal to negotiate with bandits, the governor said, “Two days after the abduction of the Afaka young people, I was assured by the air force and the army that they knew where the kidnappers were with the students and they had encircled (them).
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Following the release of the remaining 29 students abducted from the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka, Kaduna State, the governor, Nasir El-Rufai has said his government had planned to bomb the bandits, having in mind that some of the students will be killed.
He said before the Nigerian Air Force could execute the plan, the bandits swiftly changed location.
El-Rufai said given the current security situation in his state, it was a price he would be willing to pay instead of paying ransom.
The governor said this on Thursday during a webinar organized by the Africa Leadership Group, tagged ‘Developing a Viable Nation 2’ and hosted by Pastor of Trinity House Church, Ituah Ighodalo.