Precious Nwakacha, one of the three students of the Greenfield University (GFU) Kaduna killed by bandits is not the daughter of the Pro-Chancellor, Engineer Simon Nwakacha. She is actually his niece.
Also, a staff of the university associated with Nwakacha, whose name Everyday.ng could not ascertain at the the time of this publication was kidnapped and kept by his abductors for about a month until he was released early this year.
He was abducted in one of the communities around the university when he stepped out to make purchases.
Observers are wondering if there is a connection in these events and the fact of late Precious’ relationship with the proprietor. Precious was said to be the daughter of an elder brother to the school’s pro-chancellor.
She was said to have attended Imperial College, a secondary school in Kudende in Kaduna also associated with Simon Nwakacha.
Meanwhile, the Registrar of the GFU, Bashir Muhammad, has said efforts made to secure the release of the staff and students were not yieldeding the desired results.
“Even so, very sad news reaching us is that three of the students were killed and their bodies were found near the University,” he said.
He confirmed that a ransom of 800 million Naira has been demanded from the abducted staff and students.
He added: “We are at this point calling on the government and people of goodwill who can be of assistance to come to our aid as the situation is becoming overwhelming.
“The management of Greenfield University appreciates the concerns of the government of Kaduna State, led by Malam Nasir el-Rufai and commend steps taken so far in ensuring the safe return of those abducted.
“Finally, we appeal to those in custody of our staff and students to spare their lives,” the statement added.
Engineer Nwakacha, from Nnewi, Anambra State, did his National Youth Service Corps in the Kaduna Refinery Company in 1978, and was retained as a staff, and rising to the position of a manager until he retired in 2013, having retired after 35 years in service, according to details published on the internet.
Recall that earlier today, President Muhammadu Buhari, like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, expressed worry over the circumstances surrounding the death of the three student -Nwakacha, Dorathy Yohanna and Sadiq Yusuf Sanga.
Yusuf’s body, along with those of Dorathy Yohanna and Precious Nwakacha were found in Kwanan Bature Village, close to Greenfield University, where they were captured on 20 April.
The Kaduna state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, announced the discovery.
He said the bodies were taken to a mortuary by him and the Commander Operation Thunder Strike.
Sanga, son of a former Chairman of Jemaa Local Government Area, presently a director with the Kaduna Stae Government, was buried on Friday, according to Muslim rites.
Buhari, on Saturday strongly condemned the killing describing the students as bright youngsters who were cut down by evil people in their prime.
He directed the deployment of “fiercest show of legitimate force against perpetrators.”
“My thoughts are with their families in this time of grief. May their souls rest in peace,” said the President. He extended his condolences and that of the Federal Government to the relatives, associates of the murdered students and the Kaduna State government.
On the recurring incidents of kidnappings and killings in Kaduna State in particular, the President condemned them as “barbaric terror attacks,” and described as “unfortunate the tenor of some political and religious leaders that seem to further incite and stoke the pain and anguish of mourning families who are forced to confront these tragedies. Addressing this scourge, requires great show of empathy and coming together as a society to squarely confront these elements and the danger it poses to our democracy and peaceful life in the country.”
He gave strong assurances that those who think that profits can be made, either from money paid as ransom or in politics, “will suffer with equal measure of recompense under the full weight of the law for their wickedness and brutality.”
“Banditry, kidnapping and the politics of murders will be fought with all the resources available to our country,” declared the President.
Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong described the murder of the young innocent students as shocking, barbaric and condemnable.
Lalong said there is no justification for the kidnap and murder of the innocent students who were simply in school to study and prepare themselves for service to the nation.
This action according to him is an act of sheer wickedness that must not be allowed to go unpunished.