N50m Ransom: FCTA refutes N20,000 contribution for kidnapped UBEB boss

The Authority of the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, has debunked an on-line report alleging that Principals in junior secondary schools in the nation’s capital have been asked to contribute N20,000 each, as part of efforts to raise N50 million ransom demanded by terrorists who recently kidnapped the Chairman of the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (FCT-UBEB), Dr. Sule Alhassan.

Refuting the purported publication in Abuja, the Director Administration and Finance of the FCT Education Secretariat, Mr. Abdulrazak Leramoh has drawn the attention of the public to the publication noting that it was completely untrue and unknown to the FCT Secretariat and the Universal Basic Education Board of the FCT and to the FCT Administration.

Leramoh, disclosed that, currently family members of the abducted Chairman of the FCT UBEB have being negotiating with the attackers to release the officer.

The Director added that “we are aware of one of our officers, who unfortunately was involved in the attack and is currently in the custody of the attackers”.

He further explained that the FCT Education Secretariat, FCT SUBEB and the FCT Administration is not involved in any way, stating that, it is purely the affairs of the family member and friends.

According to him, “The attention of the FCT Education Secretariat has been drawn to unconfirmed story making the round on a website named “The whistler” with headline Train Attack: Abuja School Principals levied N20,000 to raise N50m ransom for kidnapped Education Board Boss.

“The story as reported by the writer is untrue as the family is the link contact to the kidnappers and they are in a better position to give further information on the matter. The Secretariat therefore frown at such unfounded report to tarnish positive image of not only the office of the kidnapped Director, but the entire Education Secretariat of the FCT Administration” he explained.

He called on residents of the FCT and other well-meaning individuals to totally disregard such unfounded story even as we request everyone to join the family in prayers in this ‘Holy Month’ of Ramadan for his safe release.

An online publication “THE WHISTLER” had circulated an article stating that the management of FCTUBEB had sent out a circular to all junior secondary school principals requesting them to contribute the said amount to raise the ransom.

The FCT UBEB Chairman, Sule Alhassan was said to be among passengers of the Abuja-Kaduna train that was recently bombed by terrorists, during which over 100 travelers were believed to have been kidnapped.

Emmanuel Ukoh