Kidnappers Demand More as Family Sells Home, Car to Pay Ransom for Man and Wife

A Nigerian family faces devastating hardship as kidnappers demand additional ransom after selling their home and car to secure the release of loved ones.

The family of Yakubu Dada, a retired civil servant who was abducted with his wife Lami on October 31, 2024, along the Kontagora-Tegina Road in Niger State, is enduring severe hardship. In their struggle to gather an initial ransom of N10 million, they had to sell their home, cars, and furniture.

However, the kidnappers have continued to hold the couple captive, now insisting on an extra N60 million and 10 motorcycles—terms that are beyond what the family can afford.

“As we welcome the New Year in peace, let us remember that many residents of Niger State are still held captive and their families are losing hope for their return,” wrote journalist Comrade Lanre Sadiq in a Facebook post.

The family has faced financial and emotional challenges in trying to fulfill the kidnappers’ demands, including Dada’s two other wives, Maimuna and Aisha.

“Our husband, a retired civil servant who currently works as an ad hoc staff member for the World Health Organization, was kidnapped on a Thursday. The abductors initially demanded N100 million in ransom. After weeks of negotiation, they agreed to accept N10 million,” Maimuna explained.

She described how they sold all of their possessions, including their house and vehicles, and even borrowed money to gather enough for the ransom. Despite making the payment, the kidnappers increased their demands afterward.

“We weren’t able to gather the N60 million. The house we sold has a new owner, and they’ve given us three months’ notice to leave,” she explained. “We can’t even afford food for ourselves. My children missed their exams because we couldn’t pay their school fees.”

Maimuna also voiced her concern about Lami’s health, noting that she has diabetes.

“The last time my husband spoke to us, he implored us to gather the money and motorcycles by any means necessary, even if it meant begging. He urged us not to let them take his life,” she recounted.

The local community has come together to support the family, though resources are scarce. Umar Haliru, a neighbor, commented, “The family has faced numerous challenges. The children missed their exams and have no idea when their father and mother will be back.”

The kidnapping is one element of a larger security crisis in Niger State. Since February 2024, twenty-three women from Allawa in Shiroro Local Government Area have been held hostage. Their abductors are demanding three motorcycles for each individual, and there are reports that some of the women have been compelled to work while being detained.

Attempts to obtain a response from the state police command regarding these cases have been unsuccessful, as spokesman Wasiu Abiodun has not returned calls or messages.