The Global Peace and Life Rescue Initiative (GOPRI), has condemned the abduction of 39 students of Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka, Kaduna State, who were abducted by bandits on Friday.
The group urged Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai not to negotiate with bandits.
In a statement by its Executive Director, Ambassador Melvin Ejeh, the group said the abduction was orchestrated to blackmail el-Rufai over his position on non-negotiation with bandits.
According to the group, no responsible government should negotiate with terrorists.
It hailed the governor for his prompt response that resulted in the rescue of 180 distraught students and members of staff of the school.
It expressed optimism that the remaining 39 students still not accounted for would soon be rescued.
The statement said: “We condemn the kidnapping of about 39 members of staff and students of Federal School of Forestry, Afaka in Kaduna State by some bandits.
“We commend Governor Nasiru El-Rufai, the state’s Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, the Nigerian Military and other security agencies for the prompt response which led to the release of most of the victims from the criminals.
“We believe in a matter of a few days the remaining students will be rescued and reunited with their families.
“We, however, believe that the kidnapping was to test the resolve of Governor Nasir El-Rufai on his position against amnesty and negotiation with bandits.
“The students were kidnapped to blackmail the governor and the government of Kaduna State.
“We are, however, pleased with the governor’s reassurance yesterday not to negotiate with the bandits no matter the situation.
“This is the most responsible thing to do; no government must negotiate with terrorists no matter the blackmail.
“This show of uncommon commitment and the professionalism demonstrated by the government of Kaduna State and Nigeria Military is phenomenal.
The group said governors must take a firm position like Governor el-Rufail did and stand by it.
“They must deploy every instrument of government and technology to defeat these enemies of the state once and for all instead of pampering them.
“Negotiating with terrorists as we do in Nigeria empowers them. This is why we in GOPRI, are solidly behind Governor el-Rufai and his government on his firm positions.
“We wish to commend him for the state-of-the-art technology his government is deploying to solve the insecurity problem in the state. No doubt, insecurity will be a thing of the past soon in Kaduna State.
“If all governors in the North put such similar commitment like Governor el-Rufai, insecurity would have been a thing of the past in the North.
“While our hearts are with the government and families of the victims, we urge the parents and guidance not to succumb to the pressure from the bandits to negotiate with them but allow the government to deploy its machinery to rescue the victims,” the statement added.
