Kidnappers’ free reign has apparently continued in the Federal Capital Territory as four out the 10 persons kidnapped in Kubwa/Dutse area of the territory have been found killed and dumped at Ida, nea Ushafa in Bwari Area Council.
Among the bodies was that of a secondary school student and daughter of Ekiti State-born Chief Legal Officer of the National University Commission (NUC), Folorunsho Ariyo, and a 400 level student of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, Nabeeeha Al-kadriyar.
Miss Ariyo was abducted along with her mother and three siblings two Sundays ago while Nabeeeha Al-kadriyar was seized with her father and five of her female siblings last Tuesday in the same axis.
Family sources said the kidnappers had demanded for the sum of N60 million ransom to release members of the Ariyo family who could only raise about N5 million.
“Talks were still ongoing and as at last Friday, we were optimistic of a positive outcome until we were contacted to pick up her body,” a family source volunteered.
The teenage girl was buried on Sunday in Dutse Cemetery, Abuja while the other members of the family remain with their abductors.
It was learnt that the kidnappers who invaded Al-kadriyar’s residence at Zuma 1, near Bwari at about 9pm last Tuesday, also took away her father and her sisters and demanded the sum of N100 million ransom for their release but later dropped it to N60 million.
A source who gave an account of the incident, said: “On Tuesday 2nd of January around 9:00 pm kidnappers struck and took away a father and her six children (all girls) at Zuma 1 after Bwari FCT before Veritas University.
“The junior brother that was contacted on distressed call died during the attack. The father was released 48hrs after to bring N60m ransom.
“We were contacted last night Friday 12th Jan around 7pm to bring the money and later called around 10:30pm same night telling us they have killed one of the girls and even described the location for us to pick the corpse.
“While were we at the point of picking up the corpse, they called again raising the ransom of N100m insisting that any attempt in delaying the payment will be met with equal treatment. These are the phone numbers being used by the abductors: 07016250005, 0912 391 5983,” he added.
In a bid to raise money, Nigerians were urged to donate whatever they have into a bank account, but not enough money was gathered as of Friday.
The FCT kidnappings have drawn outcry from residents including the former Minister for Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, who said that he had spoken with the father of Najeebah over the remaining kidnapped girls.
“Inna lil Laahi wa inna ilaiHi Raajiun! I just read about the killing of our daughter Najeeba (400 level, ABU). I also spoke with her father about the remaining 5 of our kidnapped daughters. May Allah forgive her, rescue others & bring absolute peace to Nigeria,” he said in a post on his X handle.
A former Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, said: “The gruesome murder of Nabeeeha Al-kadriyar is a condemnable act of evil before our very eyes. Her death was an avoidable tragedy.The perpetrators must be brought to justice.The deterioration of security within the federal capital should be a matter of urgent concern to our security services.May her soul rest in peace. Amin.”
Earlier, a former aide to former President Muhammadu Buhari, Bashir Ahmad, called on the police to take necessary actions on the matter.
“I join fellow concerned Nigerians in urgently calling on the @PoliceNG through its PPRO @PrinceMoye1 to acknowledge and respond to the unfortunate incident involving the kidnapping of Najeebah and five of her sisters #NajeebahAndHerSisters more than a week ago. The information shared by a family member @Adamu_Asiya_ this morning indicated that the kidnappers have tragically killed Najeebah as a warning and demanded a N100 million ransom for the release of the remaining victims.
“We implore the Nigeria Police to prioritise this case and deploy all necessary resources to safely rescue the remaining victims. Thank you!” he said on X.
Reacting, the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, said the police would need to get in touch with a member of the victims’ family.
“Please let the family members or you relate with us codedly. Let them reach out to me on my personal line, and drop a message there. We have been working on it, but we need some info. We will try our best possible to emplace all necessary measures to rescue them unhurt. But we need to get some info pls. Thanks,” Adejobi replied.
Ahmad later said that he had linked the police with a senior member of the victims‘ family.
“Following our exchanges with @PoliceNG Public Relations Officer, @PrinceMoye1, I have spoken with a relative of Najeebah. We agreed that a senior family member would directly take up the matter with Prince Muyiwa in person, away from social media platforms.
“The family expresses their gratitude to all Nigerians for their concern and support during this challenging period.
“Now, with the authorities involved, we are hopeful that #NajeebahAndHerSisters will be swiftly and safely rescued and reunited with their family,” said.
Pantami later on Sunday announced that he has been able to convince a friend to pay N50 million out the N60 million now being demanded by Nabeeeha’s ransom.
He said on his X handle: “Alhamdu lil Laah! I am personally not in support of paying ransom to criminals.
“However, since it becomes clear, we lost our daughter Nabeeha yesterday, and the 5 remaining daughters have been threatened, as I spoke with the father on the matter yesterday and today.
“Furthermore, I spoke with a friend and a brother who offered to pay the remaining 50 million Naira out of the N60m immediately.
“I conveyed the account number of the father of pur daughters, Mansoor Al-Kadriyar, to the friend and brother to send the money directly. Any additional amount earlier generated from yesterday, the father can use to treat the daughters and other family members in sha Allah.
“May the Almighty Allah reward the bother and friend with Jannatul Firdaus for the donation. May He also reward all those who contributed in any way with Jannatul Firdaus, too.
“May He also forgive Nabeeha and rescue her sisters. May the Almighty also help our security agencies to bring an end to these challenges. May Nigeria be a better place for all of us. I love Nigeria. #Najeebahandhersisters,” he said. (Nigerian Tribune)
