Parents of the abducted students of the College of Forestry Mechanization Afaka in Kaduna State have occupied the National Assembly complex, Abuja, in protest.
The protest comes less than 24 hours after another set of bandits, who kidnapped 22 students of Greenfield University, also in Kaduna, threatened to kill the remaining 17 in their captivity if government or parents do pay their ransom demands.
But Governor Nasir el-Rufai has vowed never to pay a ransom or negotiate with criminal elements.
On Tuesday, the Students Union Government (SUG) of the College of Forestry Mechanization Afaka, parents and wellwishers stormed the National Assembly to protest against what they described as the negligence of the state and Federal Government in securing the release of the children.
Led by the Publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, and activist Deji Adeyanju, the protesters marched from the Unity Foutain to the NASS, chanting songs of solidarity and displaying placards demanding prompt rescue of the students.
“Education is our right! Safety is our right! Freedom is our right!, Free Afaka 29! ” the parents and students chanted as they marched to the National Assembly.
The main entrance of the National Assembly was however manned by security agents who denied the protesters entrance, Channels TV reported.
On 11th March 2021, 39 students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization Afaka in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State were abducted from their hostels by bandits dressed in military uniform.
Ten of the students were released in two batches of five each but 29 others have remained in captivity.
See photos from the protest below…
