In the wake of the abduction of six sisters and their father in the Bwari area council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, disclosed that a friend has volunteered to pay the remaining N50 million of the N60 million initially demanded by the bandits, following the tragic killing of one of the sisters.
While Pantami expressed his reluctance to support ransom payments, he cited the urgency in soliciting for the funds after the kidnappers took a life. He also criticized security agencies for their failure to effectively track calls and digital imprints of kidnappers, despite the synchronization of Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs) with National Identification Numbers (NINs) in 2022 during his tenure.
This disclosure coincides with the police’s announcement that tactical intelligence teams have been intensified to rescue the victims. The abduction of the family, resulting in the death of one sister named Nabeeha, adds to the escalating trend of such incidents in Abuja.
A report by Premiumtimes reveals conflicting records, stating that at least 15 individuals have been kidnapped in the FCT since the beginning of 2024, with close to 50 kidnap cases involving over 200 persons recorded in the last three years.
The incidents, occurring in various areas such as Gbau, Kuje, Gauge, Pegi, Abaji, Keti, and Kwali, have reportedly led to significant economic losses, including confirmed ransom payments totaling N653.7 million between 2021 and 2022.
While Pantami’s disclosure faced social media criticism, with accusations of inappropriate actions, he defended himself, emphasizing that he does not support ransom payments and that the funds were offered by a friend to save the remaining daughters.
Despite the NIN-SIM policy initiated by Pantami to enhance security, the former minister expressed frustration at the lack of effective utilization by relevant institutions, highlighting three instances during his tenure where the policy contributed to operational success.
Reacting to Pantami’s claims, the acting director of Defence Information, Brig-Gen Tukur Gusau, remained non-specific on which agency was responsible, while the Force PRO, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, assured that the police were actively engaging in comprehensive rescue operations and investigations.
The sensitivity of the situation prompted Adejobi to withhold specific details to avoid compromising ongoing operations, emphasizing the police’s commitment to bringing perpetrators to justice and rescuing victims still in captivity. The psychological impact on affected families is also acknowledged, with efforts focused on providing support and assistance in mitigating the psychological warfare imposed by kidnapped.
Credit: Leadership newspaper