Bandits have demanded N20 million ransom for the release of a student of Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Auwal Mas’ud Shitu, who was abducted along the Charanchi-Dutsinma road in Katsina State.

Shitu, a 300-level student of Pure and Industrial Science, was reportedly abducted on May 17 at Mararaban Kankara while travelling in a commercial vehicle.

The incident was first reported by security analyst Bakatsine and online news platform Sahara Reporters.

Sources within the university, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the student was transporting domestic animals to the southern part of the country for sale when he was kidnapped.

According to the sources, Shitu had engaged in the buying and selling of sheep to support himself and supplement his family’s income following the death of his father.

“He usually sells the animals within the state, but he was advised to move them to the southern part of the country where they would attract higher prices,” one of the sources said.

The source added that Shitu had purchased several sheep and loaded them into a vehicle before suspected bandits intercepted the travellers at Mararaban Kankara and abducted him alongside the animals.

Family sources said the abductors later contacted the family and demanded N20 million ransom for his release.

They, however, said the victim’s mother and relatives could not afford the amount demanded by the kidnappers.

As of the time of filing this report, it remained unclear whether the abductors had reopened negotiations with the family.

The Nigeria Police Force in Katsina State had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.