The kidnapper told me to pay ₦24m for my wife in 24 hours, I told him to keep her if he wants – NSCDC officer

DDM News

A Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officer, Steven Asibi, has narrated how his heavily pregnant wife was kidnapped and later released without paying any ransom.

In an interview with Diaspora digital media (DDM), Asibi recounted the harrowing experience, explaining how he stood firm in faith despite the kidnappers’ threats.

The incident occurred on January 15, 2025, around 8:30 PM, when his wife, Mary Asibi, was abducted near their residence in Kaduna while returning from the market.

According to Asibi, the kidnappers struck suddenly, seizing his wife and forcing her into a vehicle before speeding off.

Shocked by the news, he immediately contacted his church’s spiritual leader for prayers and guidance.

“I was confused and devastated,” he said. “I called my pastor, and we prayed fervently. He assured me that my wife would return safely.”

Later that night, around 11:45 PM, Asibi’s phone rang from an unknown number. As he answered, he first heard his wife’s distressed voice crying for help.

“She kept saying, ‘Please save me. Please pay them,’ before a man suddenly took over the call,” he recalled.

The unknown caller, who spoke in a gruff voice, demanded ₦24 million within 24 hours if Asibi wanted to see his wife alive.

“I was shocked at the amount,” he said. “I told them I didn’t have that kind of money, but they insisted I must pay or never see her again.”

Despite the threats, Asibi remained resolute, refusing to be intimidated. He boldly told the kidnappers that he would not negotiate with them.

“As a child of God, I cannot allow myself to be threatened,” he stated. “I told them I would not pay, and if they wanted, they could keep her.”

The kidnappers, angered by his response, ended the call abruptly. Over the next five days, Asibi neither received another demand nor heard any updates about his wife’s condition.

During this period, he and his church members intensified their prayers, believing she would return unharmed.

Finally, on January 20, 2025, at exactly 6:15 AM, Asibi received another call from his wife. She was weak but alive and told him that she had been freed and was abandoned by the kidnappers on a deserted road near a village on the outskirts of Kaduna.

Rushing to the location she described, Asibi found his wife sitting by the roadside, exhausted but unharmed.

“I broke down in tears when I saw her,” he said. “It was a miracle. She had not been harmed, and our baby was safe.”

After taking her to the hospital for medical check-ups, the doctors confirmed that both mother and baby were in stable condition.

When asked how she was released without a ransom, Mary Asibi recalled that after her husband’s firm refusal to pay, the kidnappers seemed unsure of what to do.

“They kept me in a small room for days, giving me only water and little food,” she narrated. “They were angry that my husband refused to pay. On the fifth day, they suddenly blindfolded me, drove me far away, and dumped me on the roadside.”

Asibi expressed gratitude to God for protecting his wife and ensuring her safe return. He also called on security agencies to intensify efforts in fighting kidnapping across the country.

“This experience has strengthened my faith,” he concluded. “No one should live in fear of criminals. The government must take stronger action against these kidnappers.”

The NSCDC officer’s testimony has sparked discussions on the rising cases of abductions and the courage needed to stand against kidnappers’ demands. Many Nigerians have praised his faith and resilience in handling the situation.

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