- Safiu Kehinde
Suspected bandits, who abducted former National Youths Service Corp (NYSC) member, has refused to release him after collecting the N10 million ransom they demanded from his family.
NPO Reported that the plight of the ex-Corp member, simply identified as Abba, had last week gained public attention after video of him getting brutalised by his abductors surfaced online.
The ex-Corp member was reportedly abducted last month along Gusau-Sokoto Road.
Abba’s ordeal had triggered public outrage as well donation of the N10 million ransom to secure his release.
However, a post shared by an X user on Tuesday revealed that the bandits have refused to release Abba despite the payment of the ransom as they demanded three additional motorcycles before they release him.
According to the X user identified as Sadiq G Sadiq, a friend of the former NYSC member had cashed the money donated for the ransom and handed it over to Abba’s family.
The victim’s aunt reportedly took the ransom to the bandits’ den after they assured the family of releasing Abba once the ransom is paid.
“The family communicated with the bandits, who said they were busy and would call later that night to provide the location, time, and instructions for receiving the money.
“Unfortunately, they didn’t call early. Later, they sent a voice note reassuring the family that they would keep their promise and release him as soon as they received the money.
“They also warned the family to keep their own promise and not make any changes.
“Today, the family travelled to a nearby village and stayed there to be closer to the bandits’ area, since network coverage is very poor there , it’s hard to reach them, and they usually have to initiate contact. Whenever they can’t get through, they send voice notes on WhatsApp.
“Abba’s aunt was the one who took the money to the bandits’ location. She hired a motorcycle (okada) from the roadside.
“The rider took her directly to where the bandits were. Upon arrival, she realised she hadn’t brought money to pay the bike man. One of the bandits asked if she had paid him; when she said no, he reached into the ransom, removed a bundle, and handed it to the rider.
“After the exchange, they told her to go and wait by the roadside, saying Abba would be brought there. She left immediately.” Sadiq wrote.
The bandits however failed to fulfil their promise as they ordered Abba’s aunt back home without releasing the ex-corp member.
According to Sadiq, the bike man who conveyed Abba’s aunt and the ransom to the spot revealed that he was present when Abba was kidnapped, adding that the area is a hotspot of the bandits’ operation.
Abba was denied access to see his aunt who only managed to hear him on phone before she was ordered to return home, stressing that he will not be released until the demand of three motorcycles is met.
“On their way out, the bike man drove at a very high speed. He explained that if he didn’t speed away quickly, the bandits might change their minds and take both of them.
“He added that they could even kill them and nothing would happen. The bike man further revealed that that particular roadside is a common spot where people are kidnapped.
“He said he was present when Abba was abducted and that such incidents happen frequently in the area. He told Abba’s aunt that his job, and that of other bikers there, is to carry people bringing ransom money into the forest to meet the kidnappers.
“The aunt did not get to see Abba in person; they only spoke briefly on the phone. He even asked about his mother’s health, as she has been admitted to the hospital.
“She said the person she spoke to was well dressed, you’d know he doesn’t stay there in the forest just by seeing him.
“After waiting for some time, the bandits called her again and instructed her to board a vehicle and go home.
“They said they would not release Abba until three additional motorcycles were added to the ransom.” The post read further.
Meanwhile, the family had since urged members of the public to stop the donation for Abba’s release.