Nigeria is beset with numerous issues, the most serious of which being its current level of insecurity. In Nigeria, however, kidnapping for ransom has turned into a menace to national security. Najeebah, a young woman, was allegedly shot and killed by gunmen who kidnapped her and her five sisters in Abuja. Professor Isa Ali Pantami, a former minister of communication and digital economy, has revealed that his friend has offered to pay N50 million of the N60 million ransom that Najeeba’s kidnappers had demanded.
On Sunday, Pantami made this announcement on his X account (formerly Twitter), following some well-meaning Nigerians’ attempts to raise money for the requested ransom on social media.
Remember that on January 2, 2024, five of Nabeeha’s sisters and her were abducted from their home in the Bwari Area Council of Abuja.
According to the ex-minister’s tweet:
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.…— Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim, CON (@ProfIsaPantami) January 14, 2024
He said: “Alhamdu lil Laah! I am personally not in support of paying ransom to criminals.
Similarly, Professor Pantami confirmed the killing of Najeebah on Saturday night. He said he spoke with the father of the deceased concerning the release of 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 on the remaining 5 of our kidnapped daughters. May Allah forgive her, rescue others & bring absolute peace in Nigeria#Najeebahandhersisters— Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim, CON (@ProfIsaPantami) January 13, 2024
“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,” Mr Pantami said in a post on his X handle.
“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.
“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. I love Nigeria. #Najeebahandhersisters”
Media reports disclosed that the gunmen later released their father, asking him to go get N60m as ransom for the release of her daughters before Friday, January 12. 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. Consequently, the hoodlums reportedly killed the oldest of the six girls, Najeebah, and dumped her body somewhere for her parents to bury.
Meanwhile, the police have promised to rescue six members of the family who were kidnapped. The force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, made the promise in a statement on its X handle on Saturday.
The assurance comes as it emerged that one of the victims, identified as Najeeba, had been executed by the kidnappers.
Mr Adejobi, in the statement titled, “We are committed to tackling kidnapping, rescuing, victims unhurt,” said the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had ordered for “Upscale tactical intelligence team,” currently handling the investigation clandestinely.
“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,” the statement said.
Mr Adejobi explained that due to the sensitivity of the matter, the operation would be carried out secretly to avoid compromising it.
“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,” he added.
