Less than 24 hours after they regained freedom, there are indications that the abducted students of Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka, Kaduna were allegedly freed in exchange for N15m ransom and an infamous bandit.

The students who were kidnapped from their school dormitories eventually breathed air of freedom released after spending 55 days in the camp of their captors.

Sources have, however, revealed that the freedom, which ought to have happened earlier last month, was delayed even after payment of ransom because one of the abductors insisted on the release of a comrade who was apprehended by the police.

Daily Trust reported that the negotiations suffered setbacks after self-styled leader of the abductors, known as Buderu, reneged on his promise even after receiving payment of the agreed ransom.

The report also said that it took the intervention of the father of one Buhari, alias General who was described as a fierce bandit, to compel Baderu to agree on the deal.

But Buderu insisted that even if no more money would be given to him, he must demand for the release of his relative who was arrested at Falgore Forest in Kano State.

The decision to release the bandit clearly did not go down well with the State government leading to the delay.

The notorious bandit, simply identified as Laulu, was subsequently moved to Kaduna from a police facility in Kano on Tuesday ahead of the prisoner swap.

The students were released yesterday to intermediaries who served as a go-between between negotiators and the group, which masterminded the kidnapping on March 11, 2021.

Findings revealed that the negotiations were facilitated by the Sheikh Ahmed Gumi dialogue committee with support from former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Recall that duo has had at least two meetings over banditry ravaging northern part of the country and spate of abductions in recent past.

The cleric had led a team to Obasanjo’s residence in Abeokuta in April and the former leader hosted Gumi and his team to an iftar (breaking of fast) dinner in Abuja, last month.

The negotiators, it was learned, reached out to federal government to approve the release of Laulu, identified as a “repentant cattle rustler who was lured and arrested by vigilantes”.

On arrival in Kaduna, the students who appeared sickly and weak with many of them limping were received by the Kaduna State Police Commissioner, Umar Muri.

A concerned parent of the students who was acquainted with the security operation said: “They slept in the home of a Fulani leader somewhere in the outskirt of Kaduna. We had earlier sent vehicles to evacuate them but something happened so they passed the night there. We commend all those that supported us to see to their release including Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the security agencies. We pray such a nightmare never happens to anyone of us.”