Relatives Dispute Official Claims, Raise Concerns over Kidnapped Students’ Safety Families of the abducted students in Kankara, Nigeria have vehemently refuted government assertions that their children have been released, casting doubt on the official narrative and expressing dire concerns for their safety. Contradictory Reports On Friday, December 11, the Nigerian government announced that 344 kidnapped students from the Government Science Secondary School in Kankara had been freed after negotiations with Boko Haram. However, relatives of the students have strongly disputed this claim. Families’ Narrative Relatives have reported that they have no contact with their children and have not received any official confirmation of their release. They have also expressed concern that the government’s announcement may have been premature or used to appease the public without regard for the students’ well-being. Safety Concerns The families fear that their children may still be in the hands of kidnappers and may be subjected to abuse or harm. They have urged the government to intensify efforts to locate and rescue them. Demand for Proof Relatives have demanded independent verification of the government’s claims, such as video footage or physical contact with the children. They have also stressed the need for transparency and accountability in the handling of the situation. Government Response The government has insisted that the students have been released and are being processed at a military base. However, it has not provided any conclusive evidence to support its claims. Authorities have also urged the families to remain calm and trust in the government’s efforts. International Pressure The international community has expressed concern over the kidnapping and has called on the Nigerian government to prioritize the safety of the students. Several human rights organizations have condemned the government’s handling of the situation and demanded immediate action to secure the children’s release. The families of the kidnapped students remain in anguish and uncertainty, desperately seeking answers about their loved ones’ fate. The government has a humanitarian obligation to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens and must prioritize the recovery of the abducted children. The nation and the world await the resolution of this tragedy with hope and prayers.Kidnapped Students in Oromia Remain Unaccounted forKidnapped Students in Oromia Remain Unaccounted for Despite official announcements of their release, families of 167 abducted students in Oromia reported that their children remain missing. The students were kidnapped on July 10, 2024, near the town of Garba Guracha while traveling from Debark University. Families Dispute Government Claims Families of the students contradicted government statements claiming that 160 students had been freed. They reported ongoing ransom demands and communication with their children’s captors. Contradictory Information Sources within the families stated that the students were being held in separate locations and had not been seen near any government security forces. They expressed disappointment and concern over the false information being disseminated by the government. Kidnappers Demand Money All the families interviewed confirmed that the kidnappers were demanding large sums of money for the release of their children. The father of one of the abducted students claimed that a ransom of one million birr was demanded. OLA Allegations The Oromia state regional government attributed the kidnapping to the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), but the group has not responded to the allegations. Condemnation and Calls for Action The U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa condemned the rise in kidnappings for ransom in Oromia and Amhara, demanding an end to the practice. The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission had previously highlighted an increase in such kidnappings. Ongoing Crisis The incident reflects the ongoing crisis in the Oromia region, marked by conflict and rising insecurity. It underscores the need for immediate action by authorities to secure the safety of civilians and address the escalating violence in the area.Relatives of the kidnapped students in the recent school attack have refuted government claims that the students have been released. They expressed grave concern for the safety of their children and urged the authorities to intensify efforts to secure their release. “We have not received any official communication or confirmation from the government regarding the release of our children,” said a distraught parent. “We are deeply worried about their well-being and demand immediate action to bring them back home.” The relatives gathered at a protest rally, holding placards and chanting slogans, demanding transparency and accountability from the government. They accused the authorities of downplaying the severity of the situation and failing to provide timely updates on the students’ status. “The authorities must not treat this as just another incident,” said another parent. “Our children’s lives are at stake, and we will not rest until they are safely reunited with us.” They also urged the government to engage with the kidnappers to facilitate negotiations and secure the students’ release without further harm. “We are willing to cooperate with the government in any way possible,” said a spokesperson for the relatives. “But we need to know that our children are safe and that their well-being is the top priority.” The government has been urged to redouble its efforts to locate and rescue the kidnapped students and provide regular updates to the families. The relatives remain hopeful but demand concrete action and transparency from the authorities to ensure the safe return of their children.