Ex-minister’s friend offers to pay N50m for abducted Abuja girls

The immediate past Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, has revealed that one of his friends has offered to pay the remaining N50m to balance the N100m ransom demanded by bandits to release the remaining Mansoor Al-Kadriyar sisters.

Al-Kadriyar, his five children and the daughter of his late brother who was killed during the attack were abducted by kidnappers on Wednesday, January 3.

While Al-Kadriyar was later released with an order to provide N60m as a ransom for the abducted girls, one of his daughters, Nabeeha, was killed and buried on Friday, while the abductors raised the ransom to N100m for the remaining five girls.

One of the uncles of the murdered victim of the Abuja kidnap, Sherifdeen Al-Kadriyar, was reported to have claimed that the kidnappers threatened to kill the other girls in their captivity if a ransom of N100m was not paid.

But reacting to the ugly incident in a post on his verified X handle on Sunday, Pantami tweeted, “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 five 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 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.

“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.”

When contacted over the development, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh revealed that the police was on top of the matter, while noting that details could not be revealed for security reasons.

“We’re on top of the matter. But we can’t reveal details for security reasons.”

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force has vowed to rescue four sisters and their cousin who were kidnapped in their family home in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory on Wednesday, January 3, 2024.

There’s been a rise in bandit attacks in the nation’s capital city since Minister Nyesom Wike assumed office. Several villages and hamlets, especially in Abuja suburbs, have been ransacked by gunmen, resulting in the abductions and killings of many persons.

Two policemen sustained bullet injuries, while seven family members were abducted, with one killed during an attack by bandits in Bwari, Abuja.

Reacting to the development on Sunday, the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi said the police had initiated a comprehensive plan of action to rescue the abducted girls, and arrest the bandits.

Adejobi noted, “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.”