Tension gripped residents of Sagwari Layout Estate, Dutse, Abuja, yesterday, following the killing of three out of 10 victims abducted, last week.
Until now, only two victims, including an undergraduate, had been killed. Reports, however, emerged yesterday that the kidnappers killed another victim to send a stronger warning to relatives who are negotiating ransom.
It was gathered that the gunmen released the father of the victims and asked him to get N60 million in ransom for the release of his daughters before Friday, January 12.
The Guardian learnt that the assailants increased their demand from the initial N60 million per person to N100 million.
Meanwhile, friends and the extended family members of Ariyo Oladosu are in a race against time to raise money for the release of the three remaining children, mother, and Oladosu.
The family members (wife and four children) of the lawyer, an alumnus of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) and indigene of Ekiti State, were kidnapped in an Abuja estate last week.
Their abductors demanded a ransom of N60 million. Following their inability to raise the money, one of the children was killed on Sunday, January 14, 2024.
A friend of the family who did not want his name mentioned, said: “In view of this, we are appealing for financial support to facilitate quick and safe release of his wife and the remaining three children.
“We humbly request that you help us to kindly send whatever you can afford to save this family to the bank details below: Ariyo Folorunsho Oladosu, 0024647077 Guaranty Trust Bank.
May God protect you and your families.”
When asked about the amount raised, he said: “N10 million out of the N60 million demanded by the kidnappers has been raised. We have about N10 million now. I learnt that from the posts we did, last night, about N3 million had come in.”
As at press time, the Force Public Relations Office (FPRO), Muyiwa Adejobi, was yet to respond to inquiries on the matter. He did not pick his calls or respond to messages sent to his number.
On Sunday, former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami, said his friend had offered to pay N50 million to rescue five sisters involved in a similar abduction by gunmen in Abuja.
The donation followed outrage over the gruesome killing of a young lady identified as Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar by gunmen who had abducted her and five other sisters.