Bandits have freed Derrick and Caleb, the two children of Dr. Tiri Gyang, a lecturer at the Federal University Dutsinma in Katsina State, after abducting them and killing their father.

A source close to the family revealed to Vanguard that the bandits initially demanded N20 million to release the children.

However, the exact amount paid remains unclear. After receiving part of the ransom, the bandits released Caleb, the younger child, but then demanded two motorcycles and a N200,000 mobile recharge card for Derrick, the elder sibling.

“After the ransom was paid, the bandits released Caleb first and then asked for additional items for Derrick,” the source said. Derrick was finally released on Sunday after the requested items were provided.

Following the release of the children, preparations for Dr. Tiri Gyang’s burial are underway.

In a related incident, Mallam Garba Funtua, the father of Aisha, a female student kidnapped alongside Dr. Gyang’s children, also faced a tragic fate. Reports indicate that Mallam Garba personally delivered the ransom for his daughter’s release. However, the bandits captured him and demanded an additional N5 million.

One of Garba’s sons confirmed the unfortunate news on Facebook, stating that his father was killed by the bandits after paying a N2 million ransom. “The bandits had killed my father 17 days ago, a day after they captured him, though we only found out later,” the son wrote.

The Facebook post read: “It is with total submission to the will of Allah (SWT) that I announce the death of my father, Alh. Abubakar Funtua. He was killed by the bandits that kidnapped my sister last month. Jana’iza will be held on 5th August 2024, at his residence in Gangaren Tasaulawa, Funtua by 9 a.m., inshaAllah. Please pray for his soul.”