Outrage Sunday trailed the killing of one of the six siblings kidnapped Tuesday night by bandits in Abuja.
The siblings were kidnapped alongside their father, Alhaji Mansoor Al-Kadriyar, from their home at Zuma 1, on the outskirts of Bwari town in Abuja.
The captors had released their father, asking him to go and get N60 million as ransom for the release of his daughters on or before last Friday.
They later raised the ransom to N100 million which they insisted must be paid by Wednesday.
One of victims, Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar, a 400-level student of Biological Science, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, was killed by the bandits on Friday; while her five sisters, including Najeebah, a 500-level Quantity Surveying student and Nadherah, 300-level Zoology student, are still in captivity. The family did not provide three other ladies’ names.
Nabeeha, whose body was dumped at Idah junction, located along Bwari-Jere road at Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State, was buried at Bwari, Abuja, on Saturday amid tears by family members and sympathisers.
An uncle of the victims, who simply identified himself as Sherifdeen, told Daily Trust yesterday, that the family also found bodies of three other kidnap victims who could not be identified.
He stated, “On Friday, which was the day the deadline they (the bandits) gave us lapsed, they called and we tried to plead and negotiate with them that we were only able to raise close to N30 million. After back and forth, they instructed us to come and receive a ‘message’ at a location in the night.
“But when we got there around 10pm, what we saw was shocking. Nabeeha and three other victims were brutally murdered and we had to go with our corpse and leave the other three bodies there who might also be victims of a failed negotiation because we believe their people are also coming for them.
“They later called and warned that they would be killing the rest of our daughters if the ransom, which they had increased to N100 million, N20 million each for the five ladies remaining, is not paid on the next deadline on Wednesday.
“They rejected the close to N30 million that we took to them. They were furious and they threatened us so much that we were even pleading with them for N65 million or N70 million which we don’t even have”, he further disclosed.
Sherrifdeen called on the federal government to rescue the remaining five siblings, and all other captives still in kidnappers’ dens.
The agony of the abducted ladies went viral at the weekend as many Nigerians were calling on one another to contribute money to be paid as ransom to free them.
Among those who condemned the incident are former Vice President and Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 General Elections, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, a former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, Senator Shehu Sani and a former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, among others.
Atiku who commented on his official “X” handle yesterday, said: “I am saddened by reports of the brutal murder of Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar, who was abducted with her siblings and has been in the custody of their abductors for almost two weeks.
“This is yet another reminder that kidnappers and bandits are operating unhindered in our country.
“The security architecture needs to be rejigged to the extent that it stems from the free rein of criminal elements and guarantees the safety of lives and property.
“The security agencies should step up action to rescue the rest who are still in the custody of the kidnappers”, he wrote.
Pantami also wrote on his verified “X” page: “Inna lil Laahi wa inna ilaiHi Raajiun! I just read about the killing of our daughter Nabeeha (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 in Nigeria #Najeebahandhersisters.”
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.”
A citizen, on his X handle, @lilinbaba, said: “It is with great displeasure and discontentment we received the passing of Nabeeha. This reoccurring tragedy of endless kidnapping in the north needs to stop. I’m urging our security officers to double their efforts in fighting these criminal syndicates. May her soul rest in peace.”
Saraki, in a statement, said: “No family should ever have to face such an impossible choice—to pay a ransom that cripples their lives or face the unthinkable consequences”.
He urged the authorities to work tirelessly to ensure the safe and swift return of the remaining children.
“Every effort must be made to bring these perpetrators to justice. Our security agencies must be empowered with the resources and training necessary to effectively combat these criminal elements”, Saraki said.
Daily Trust had, on Sunday, reported that kidnappers dumped the remains of four victims they executed, around a former military checkpoint behind Idah Junction along the Bwari-Jere SCC Road in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
A community leader in the area, John Alpha Dogo, said the bandits dragged the victims, three females and one male, to the location on Friday night and executed them.
The situation has caused confusion at two communities–Bagye and Pashin–at Dnatan chiefdom, with residents leaving in droves out of fear.
Dnata chiefdom, carved out from Kagarko chiefdom in 2022 by the Kaduna State Government, has been under series of bandits’ attacks lately.
The bodies of two of the victims, Mitchell Ariyo and Talatu Salihu, were said to have been released to their families yesterday from the Umaru Musa Yar’adua General Hospital, Sabon-Wuse, Niger State, where they were deposited by the police.
Pantami’s friend raises N50m ransom for Nabeeha’s sisters
Pantami yesterday announced that N50 million ransom had been raised for release of Nabeeha’s five sisters.
The former minister said he spoke with “a friend and a brother” who wanted to pay N50 million from the ransom demanded by the criminals.
He wrote, “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 N50 million of the N60m immediately. I conveyed the account number of the father of our 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.”
The ex-minister also condoled with the family of the slain student and prayed for the departed soul to be rewarded with paradise.
Ilorin union urges FG to rescue abductees
The Ilorin Emirate Descendants’ Progressive Union (IEDPU), the umbrella sociocultural organisation of the people of Ilorin Emirate in Kwara State, yesterday condemned Nabeeha’s killing.
It appealed to relevant authorities to improve efforts in the fight against insecurity in the country to prevent the nation from disintegration.
Its National Publicity Secretary, Nurudeen Ibrahiim, in a statement, described the killing as “absolutely mindless, extremely sacrilegious and very sad.”
AbdulMalik said the trend portended huge danger for the continuous coexistence of the country.
He urged the government to walk its talk by tightening security within and around the country and ensuring that the remaining girls as well as other kidnapped victims were returned to their families safely.
He appealed to well-meaning Nigerians, particularly indigenes of Ilorin Emirate, to support the family of the victims towards ensuring that the remaining girls regain their freedom without further delay.
Police intensify rescue operations
In a statement issued yesterday, Police Force spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi said the Inspector-General Kayode Egbetokun, had directed that tactical intelligence units be expanded in order to combat kidnapping.
He stated: “In the wake of the abduction of six young girls in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, it is vital to state that the Police Force has already initiated a comprehensive plan of action.
“The Force Headquarters is diligently coordinating efforts to address this and prevent any further occurrence, as all hands are on deck to rescue the victims.
“However, the sensitivity of the situation necessitates discretion, and as a result, specific details are being kept confidential to avoid compromising ongoing operations.
“The NPF is actively engaging and contacting individuals crucial to the rescue operations and investigation. The objective is not only to bring perpetrators to justice but also to intensify efforts in rescue operations for victims still in captivity.
“Furthermore, recognising the psychological impact on affected families, the police are encouraging open communication with their operatives to provide support, information and assistance to mitigate the psychological warfare imposed by kidnappers on the relatives and loved ones of their victims”, Adejobi said in the statement.
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