Nigerian Government Refuses to Pay Ransom for Release of Kidnapped School Children Amid Surge in Abductions

In recent developments regarding school kidnappings in Nigeria, at least 287 students were abducted last Thursday. The kidnappers demanded a ransom of 1 billion naira ($621,848) and threatened to kill all of the students. According to a local community member, they received a call from the kidnappers on Tuesday around 12:16 p.m., indicating potential urgency in the situation. President Bola Tinubu has refused to pay the ransom for these nearly 300 abducted students.