The state government of Katsina said on Saturday the winner of the Koranic recitation competition, Abdulalam Rabiu-Faskari, his father and his brother are still alive, but in the den of their kidnappers.
The state government also confirmed that the kidnappers had contacted family members, asking for the sum of N30 million as a rescue.
This was contained in a statement by the Information and Culture Commissioner, Dr. Bala Salisu-Gango, on Friday night in Katsina, the state capital.
It could be remembered that the victims were kidnapped two days ago on their way to Fashari from Katsina, after they were honored by Governor Dikko Radda, for their performance during the national Quran competition held in the state of Kebbi.
“The attention of the Katsina State Government has been attracted to the recent reports of the media and condolence messages contained in a press release signed by the special advisor of the Governor of the state of Kebbi in media and advertising.
“It was in the sense that the hijacked winner of the National Competition of Recitation of the Koran and the last year's ABU Medicine Student of the state of Katsina, Abdussalam Rabiu-Faskari, was killed by his abductors.
“We appreciate the friendly gesture, the concern and the compassion shown by the Kebbi state government about the unfortunate incident,
“However, we wish to affirm that the winner of the Koranic recitation competition, Rabiu-Faskari, his father and his brother were really kidnapped by the bandits.
“But the information that comes to the government indicates that they are still alive and healthy in the custody of their kidnappers,” he said.
Salisu-Gango also said that, until Friday, his kidnappers demanded a rescue of N30 million from his family.
The commissioner cited Radda as describing the kidnapping of the young talented student, along with his father and brother as unfortunate.
“My heart is with the victims, their family, relatives and friends, and we read that they recover freedom safely.
“The government will take concrete measures to rescue and guarantee the safe return of all kidnapped victims, as rescue efforts are implemented,” Radda said.
Then, the governor urged security agents to put all his hands on the deck to guarantee the safe rescue of the victims.
Radda reiterated the commitment of his administration to address the predominant security challenges in the state.
In addition, he asked people to fervently pray for the security and freedom of Rabiu-Faskari and everyone else in the hands of those kidnappers.
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