Following the kidnap last week of over 287 pupils and students from a primary and secondary school at Kuriga, a community in Chikun LGA of Kaduna State., the terrorists have demanded for a ransom of 40 trillion Naira, 11 Hilux Vans and 150 Motorcycles to return the children. This was disclosed by a former minister of information, Mr. Frank Nweke Jnr. on his verified ‘X’ account.
“4O trillion Naira @1555/$1 is the equivalent of $24.6 billion and represents 3/4 of Nigeria’s current external reserves. It is 1.5 times Nigeria’s 2024 budget of 28.7 Trillion Naira, equivalent to $17.6billion. It is 2105% of the entire budget of 1.9 Trillion Naira for Nigeria’s security services for 2024.
The kidnap sector has emerged as the fastest-growing and most lucrative sector of our national economy. Like the Nigeria stock exchange, a kidnap exchange may shortly emerge.
By the time the Borno and Sokoto thieves send in their demands, Nigeria’s residual value may be insufficient to buy Nigeria’s stolen citizens back.
What shall we then do? Ideas are welcome. (Attempt at humour but it immediately fell flat. This is not a laughing matter).
If further proof that our nation is in dire straits is required, here it is.
Nothing else questions the legitimacy of government more strongly than these kinds of demands.
This was the reason for my back page titled ‘Mr President, Who’s in Charge?’ in ThisDay Newspaper on January 19, 2024.
My question and my demand for the government to take a resolute stance against insecurity remain relevant.”
Recall that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday vowed not to pay any form of ransom to the terrorists for the safe return of the children and mandated the security forces to ensure their rescue.