Kidnapped woman killed despite ransom payment, bandits issue fresh demands

A wave of grief has swept through Niger State following the tragic killing of a woman, Lami, who was abducted alongside her husband, Yakubu Dada, by suspected bandits on October 31, 2024.

The couple was kidnapped along the Kontagora Road while traveling, and despite the payment of a ₦10 million ransom by the family, the captors reportedly killed Lami and have issued fresh demands. They are now asking for an additional ₦20 million and four Bajaj motorcycles, threatening to kill Dada if the new conditions are not met.

Dada, a retired civil servant residing in the Brighter Area of Minna, was traveling with his youngest wife when the incident occurred just a few kilometers from Kontagora.

Speaking with Daily Trust, his eldest wife, Maimuna, said the family had sold nearly all their belongings including the family house, two cars, beds, televisions, and other valuables to raise the initial N10 million ransom, which was paid in November.

The payment was reportedly delivered by Dada’s younger brother to the kidnappers in a forest in Kebbi State in November 2024.

She said after after collecting the N10, million, bandits demanded additional N60 million but later reduced it to N20 million and four Bajaj motorcycles which the family had not been able to raise since November 2024.

“Our husband is a retired civil servant and currently worked as an ad hoc staff with the World Health Organisation,” she said.

She added that despite the payment, Lami was killed on Sunday.

“The bandits allowed us to speak with our husband. He broke the news that Lami had been shot dead and warned that they would kill him too if we fail to raise another N20 million and provide four motorcycles.”

Maimuna called on the Niger State government and security agencies to intervene and rescue their husband.

A neighbour, Idris Mohammed, revealed that call for support was made on Friday during Jumaat prayers.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, promised to revert.