The former Minister for Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, has said that a friend of his has offered to pay N50 million ransom to kidnappers to secure the release of the five remaining sisters who were abducted in Abuja.
Nigerians on social media had started a fundraising campaign for the ransom to seek the release of a lady Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar and five of her sisters who were abducted in their house in Abuja on January 2, 2024.
Sadly, the bandits reportedly killed Nabeeha before the ransome could be raised. her sisters are still held captive.
However, ex-minister Pantami disclosed in a tweet on his X handle on Sunday that a friend of his, whose name was not mentioned, has offered to contribute N50 million to their release.
He wrote, “I am personally not in support of paying ransom to criminals. However, since it became clear, that 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 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 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.”
Najeebah and her sisters were abducted on January 9, alongside their father.
Their father was released and asked to provide N60 million as ransom for his children’s release before Friday, January 12.
The family began raising money and also called for donations into a bank account.
Due to the inability to raise the amount as of Friday, the bandits reportedly killed the oldest of the six girls, Najeebah.
Former minister for communication and digital economy Isa Ali Pantami said on Saturday night via X that 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 wrote.
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.
In reaction, spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force Olumuyiwa 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.
The Punch
