My friend to pay N50m to free 5 sisters abducted in Abuja – Prof Pantami

Former Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami on Sunday revealed that one of his friends has offered to pay N50 out of the N60 million ransom being demanded as ransom by kidnappers of Alhaji Mansoor Al-Kadriyar and her six daughters.

The six sisters and their father were abducted on 9 January, 2024 at their home in Bwari, a suburb of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

However, the gunmen who reportedly demanded N60 million to free the abductees had released the father to go and look for the ransom money.

However, there have been outrage over the government’s inaction to free the abductees after it was gathered that the gunmen had killed the eldest of the sisters identified as Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar over an alleged delay in the payment of the ransom they were demanding.

The gunmen reportedly dumped the remains of Nabeeha to a spot where her parents went to pick it up.

Najeebah, a 400-level student of biological science at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria was buried on Saturday.

Pantami confirmed on his verified Twitter handle on Sunday that he spoke to the father of the girls who confirmed the death of Nabeeha.

He added that the five girls still in the custody of the gunmen are also being threatened with death, hence, he spoke with his friend who promised to pay the N50 million remaining to be gathered out of the N60 million ransom demand of the kidnappers.

Pantami on his verified “X” page in a post on his X handle on Sunday said: “Alhamdu lil Laah! I am personally not in support of paying ransom to criminals.

“However, since it becomes clear, we lost our daughter Nabeeha yesterday, and the 5 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. I love Nigeria. #Najeebahandhersisters.”

The announcement of the readiness of the friend of the Minister to pay ransom came as the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun also announced that a comprehensive plan to rescue the abducted girls have begun.

Egbetokun, in a statement issued on Sunday, January 14, by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi said: “In the wake of the abduction of six young girls in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, it is vital to state that the Police Force has already initiated a comprehensive plan of action.

“All hands are on deck to rescue the victims. However, the sensitivity of the situation necessitates discretion, and as a result, specific details are being kept confidential to avoid compromising ongoing operations.

“The NPF is actively engaging and contacting individuals crucial to the rescue operations and investigation. The objective is not only to bring perpetrators to justice but also to intensify efforts in rescue operations for victims still in captivity.

“Furthermore, recognizing the psychological impact on affected families, the Police are encouraging open communication with their operatives to provide support, information, and assistance to mitigate the psychological warfare imposed by kidnappers on the relatives and loved ones of their victims.”