Following the release of the five abducted girls of the Al-Kadriyar family by their captors, the emerging details of the abducted victims have continued to spark controversy
The Informant247 reports that the family of six were abducted on January 2 along with their father, Alhaji Mansoor Al-Kadriyar, from their home located in the Zuma 1 area on the outskirts of Bwari town in the FCT.
Meanwhile, an uncle to the children was shot dead by the bandits as he was leading a police rescue team to the house around 9 pm of the faithful day, and the father was released three days later and ordered to provide N60 million ransom before or on Friday 12.
However, unable to meet the demand, the bandits killed Nabeeha, a 400-level student of Biological Science, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, around 9 pm on the dateline, and increased the ransom to N100 million, which must be paid before last Wednesday.
The five victims released are Najeeba, a 500-level Quantity Surveying student, her younger sister Nadherah, a 300-level Zoology student, both of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria and their twin sisters, Habeeba and Haneesa.
The fifth person is Mardeeyah Isah Salahuddeen, a 400-level student of Microbiology, Bayero University Kano (BUK). She is a maternal cousin to the children who joined the family during the school holidays.
Meanwhile, the FCT police command, in a statement issued on Sunday through the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, had said the effort of the Command’s anti-kidnapping squad led to the rescue of the victims.
“Following the relentless advancement of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command Anti-Kidnapping squad in a concerted effort with troops of the Nigerian Army, on the heels of the kidnappers that struck the Zuma 1 area in the Bwari Area Council on the 2nd of January 2024, The FCT Police has rescued the victims and reunited them with their families.
“The operatives successfully rescued the Victims around Kajuruforest in Kaduna state at about 11:30 pm on Saturday 20th January 2024,” the statement reads in part.
Furthermore, the family countered the claim by made the police, while insisting that the girls were released after ransom was paid, and not rescued.
Narrating how the five girls were released with Daily Trust, an uncle to the victims, Jamiu Salman, said a call from one of the victims was received around 8pm on Saturday that they were released by their captors and gave the details of the location.
He narrates, “On getting the information, I and a younger brother to their father mobilized ourselves and left for the Jere junction, where we sighted some military men and approached them to introduce ourselves.
“They provided us with escort down to a bush around Gurara Dam where they stopped. We proceeded and met the children. We arrived back home after 11pm, in the company of the military escort.”
He confirmed that a ransom was paid last Wednesday, but declined to disclose the amount.
Also speaking, a cousin of the children, Mubarak Alkadriyar, who was in the journey to bring back the children, said the bandits had earlier called them and directed them about where and who to pay the ransom.
“They released 12 people altogether – comprising five from Al-Kadriyar’s family, and seven other people from three different families abducted from Dutse axis in the FCT. We jointly made the payment last Wednesday.
“It was a collective payment with the other family members. They told every family what to pay, and one person agreed to collect all the money on behalf of the others and given directives on how to bring the money,” Mubarak said.
Mubarak Al-Kadriyar also faulted a claim that the victims were rescued by security men, insisting that they were released by their captors after ransom was paid.
“They have done their best actually, but as I earlier said what they did was not enough. The security agencies have failed to prioritize the lives of the citizens which is their duty.
“Because even after the ransom was paid, should they come in to say they want to rescue them?
“The bandits shouldn’t have stayed conveniently from Wednesday down to Saturday night and at their convenience to release them to us, and they left thereafter without anybody confronting them.”
Police react as bandits kill one out of six kidnapped children
The Informant247 reports that the Nigeria Police force had said that it is intensifying plans to rescue the children of six abducted by the bandits in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory while assuring Nigerians that plans are ongoing to prevent further kidnapping cases across the country.
Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer, made this known in a statement signed on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Pantami, while responding to a question from an X (formerly Twitter) user who wondered why so much money was spent on the policy, and yet insecurity has remained unabated, said the application of the policy has been a significant problem, said, “NIN-SIM policy has been working. However, the relevant institutions fighting criminality are to be requested to ensure they utilise it effectively when a crime is committed.”
He added: “Lack of utilising it is the main problem, not the policy. While in office, I know of three instances where the policy was utilised, and it led to the success of their operations.
“On the lack of utilisation, I am more worried than anyone, as my life was threatened by criminals for reintroducing it, including on BBC Hausa and national dailies; I resisted and ensured its implementation.
“If it is not being utilised by the relevant institutions in charge of securing lives and property, then I am more frustrated than any person, as I sacrificed my life and ignored all the threats to life.
“This is just a point out of 100 on the policy. May the Almighty rescue all the kidnapped and bring absolute peace and stability to Nigeria, and may He (SWT) continue to guide our leaders and help them always in discharging their responsibilities.”
However, the former minister of Communication and Digital Economy announced that a friend of his had offered to pay N50 million of the N60 million ransom demanded by bandits who abducted Alhaji Mansoor Al-Kadriyar’s six children.
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 50 million Naira of the 60m 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.”
“May the Almighty Allah reward the brother and friend with Jannatul Firdaus for the donation. May He also reward all those who contributed in any way with Jannatul Firdaus, too,” he prayed
“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,” Pantami added.
The story so far:
It would be recalled that Nabeehah and her sisters were abducted on January 9, alongside their father.
The Informant247 also learnt that the gunmen later released their father, asking him to get N60m ransom for the release of her daughters before Friday, January 12.
The hoodlums reportedly killed one of the six girls, Nabeehah, and dumped her body somewhere for her parents to bury as they were unable to raise the money.
Adejobi said the IG, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the upscaling of tactical intelligence teams in the fight against kidnapping.
He said, “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 occurrences, 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.”
The police boss, however, called on the public to corroborate the effect of the operatives by relaying helpful information to the force.
“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,” he urged.
Meanwhile, Egbetokun on Thursday ordered the deployment of police officers with guarded security equipment to be stationed on the road and ensure the safety of travellers following the incessant kidnappings along the Abuja-Kaduna expressway.
Back story
Following the abduction of the children and an effort to get them released, Nigerians were urged to donate whatever they have into a bank account, but not enough money was gathered as of Friday.
Consequently, the hoodlums reportedly killed one of the six girls, Nabeehah, and dumped her body somewhere for her parents to bury.
The former Minister for Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, confirmed the killing of Nabeehah on Saturday night, saying 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.
Ex-president’s aide calls for action
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 reverted later 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,” he said.
Meanwhile, Nigerians on social media have expressed sadness over the killing of Nabeehah, calling on security agencies to rescue the remaining girls unhurt.