Bandits operating in the vicinity of Bwari Area Council in Abuja have issued a chilling demand for a N290 million ransom for the release of seven hostages abducted in Kuduru. The victims, including a pregnant woman, three children, and four adults, have been held captive for one month and four days since their abduction on December 28 at the Kuduru extension.
A community leader, requesting anonymity, disclosed that the bandits have explicitly threatened to kill two of the hostages if the N290 million ransom is not promptly paid. In a disturbing twist, the abductors have also demanded specific supplies, including food items, drugs, bed sheets, and cardigans.
“They have reached out to us to bring N290 million to secure their release, or they will kill two of them. We have a pregnant woman and three children among them,” revealed the community leader.
“They asked us to bring bags of rice, packs of Indomie, cough syrups, antibiotics, bed sheets, and cardigans for the bandits’ use. They insist that the N290 million ransom must be complete for them to let our people go.”
Expressing the urgency of the situation, the community leader appealed to Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), and Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff, to intervene and rescue the hostages. The community leader emphasized the deteriorating health of the captives due to harsh weather conditions and their treatment in captivity.
While acknowledging the ongoing efforts of law enforcement, the community stressed the need for authorities to replicate the success achieved in rescuing other hostages in similar situations. The plea underscores the urgent requirement for coordinated efforts to secure the safe release of the abducted individuals and to address the escalating security challenges in the region.
