The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has stated that the abductors of the 14 Zaria Local Government Area workers in Kaduna State have established contact with their families and requested various amounts as ransom.
The CNG lamented that it was however disheartening that the government was silent about the plight and condition of the workers who were abducted while on an official assignment.
In an update sent to SaharaReporters on Saturday and signed by the CNG spokesman, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, the coalition noted that it would not go on with its scheduled protest so as not to jeopardise the efforts being made by the families.
The CNG said, “It has come to the notice of the Coalition that the abductors of the 14 Zaria Local Government staff finally made contact with families of the captors separately on Friday afternoon.
“We learnt that the captors assured the individual family members of the safety of the captives and made various demands for ransom. With the unfolding scenario, the CNG headquarters has resolved to direct its Kaduna State students’ wing to put its planned mass protests on hold so as not to disrupt the fresh development.
“We assure the families affected particularly the aggrieved students in higher institutions who are in solidarity with their fellows whose parents are among the victims, that the CNG would remain vigilant as to the direction the situation turns until their parents are brought back alive and safe by the Grace of God.
“We however frown at the discouraging silence by the authorities in the past four days since the captives who are legitimate government workers were abducted while carrying out an official assignment.
“It is unfortunate that those who pose as leaders today show no real concern for the personal safety of the people they swore to protect by not doing enough to guarantee the minimal assurance of public safety and security of lives and properties.
“As we monitor the situation, we call for voluntary special prayers in congregations or individually for the final resolution of this and other issues and safe return of all victims currently in captivity anywhere.”
On November 8, bandits had attacked the transiting Zaria LGA workers, abducting 14 of them.
