Abuja monarch’s abductors ask family to sell house to raise N20m ransom

Abductors of the traditional ruler of Bukpe community in Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have directed family members of the monarch to sell his house in order to raise the N20 million ransom they are demanding.

Daily Trust had reported how kidnappers invaded the palace of the monarch, Alhaji Hassan Shamidozhi, on Wednesday night.

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When Daily Trust visited the community on Sunday, a family member of the traditional ruler, who preferred anonymity, said the kidnappers had vowed not to release him until they get N20 million. “In fact, even on Saturday morning, they called and directed the family to go and sell his house so that they can raise N20m ransom for them.

“One of the family members that they were communicating with told them that even house the chief is residing in is not worth N5 million.” According to him, the leader of the kidnappers threatened to keep the monarch in their custody even if it takes a year to raise the N20 million ransom.

Family members of Ahmed Joel, a resident who was kidnapped alongside his daughter, Precious, told our correspondent that the abductors had demanded N3 million ransom.

The spokesman of the FCT police command, DSP Adeh Josephine, had yet to reply to a text message sent to her as of the time of filing this report.