Kidnappers demand extra N60m, 10 bikes, besides previously raised N10m, to release civil servant, wife

Mallam Yakubu Dada, a retired civil servant, and his wife, Lami, were abducted on October 31, 2024, along the Kontagora-Tegina Road.

Despite selling their home, cars, and other valuables to raise the initial N10 million demanded by the kidnappers, Dada and his wife remain in captivity, with the abductors now demanding an additional N60 million and 10 motorcycles.

The kidnapping has not only taken an emotional toll on Dada’s immediate family but has also placed a huge burden on his two other wives, Maimuna and Aisha, who have been working tirelessly to gather the ransom.

They relied heavily on borrowed funds and contributions from friends to raise the initial amount, but the new demands have left them in a desperate situation.

Maimuna, Dada’s eldest wife, recounted the harrowing ordeal in an interview on national television. She revealed that the abductors initially requested N100 million, but after weeks of negotiation, they agreed to accept a reduced amount of N10 million.

To meet the demand, the family sold their home, cars, and other personal possessions, but the latest ransom demand has placed them in an even more difficult position.

“Our husband is a retired civil servant, but he also works as an ad hoc staff with the World Health Organization. The kidnappers first demanded N100 million, but after negotiations, they settled for N10 million.

“We had no choice but to sell everything we owned, including our house and cars,” Maimuna said, adding that the emotional toll of the situation is becoming unbearable.

“We haven’t been able to raise the N60 million. The house we sold is now owned by someone else, and they’ve given us a three-month notice to vacate,” said Maimuna, Dada’s eldest wife.

She went on to explain the dire situation, saying, “We can’t even feed ourselves. My children missed their exams because we couldn’t pay their school fees.”

The emotional toll is compounded by growing uncertainty about the health of Lami, who suffers from diabetes. Maimuna recounted the last conversation with her husband, who pleaded with the family to find the money, no matter the cost.

“The last time my husband spoke to us, he begged us to raise the N60 million and motorcycles, even if we had to beg around. He told us not to let them kill him,” she said, her voice filled with despair.

Despite the community’s efforts to support the family, it has been an uphill battle. Umar Haliru, a neighbor, shared his concern for the family’s well-being, stating,

“The family has been through so much. The children couldn’t take their exams, and they don’t know when their father and wife will return.”

The kidnapping crisis in Niger State is not isolated. In another part of the state, 23 women from Allawa in Shiroro Local Government Area have been held captive since February 2024. Their families are unable to pay the ransom demanded by the kidnappers, who are asking for three motorcycles in exchange for their release.

According to Mallam Musa Allawa, a local resident, the women who were previously released were forced to carry out domestic chores and work on the kidnappers’ farms as part of their exploitation.

The abduction crisis in Niger State continues to worsen, with families being taken with no hope of coming back.