•Abuja sisters
Security agencies were busy with a slew of rescue operations over the weekend.
Among those freed were five of the six sisters of the Al-Kadriyar family who were kidnapped by bandits in the Bwari area of Abuja, reports The Nation.
They regained freedom on Saturday after the payment of ransom, according to one of the sisters.
The gunmen killed their eldest – Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar and dumped her body along the road over an alleged delay in paying the ransom.
The 400-level student of Biological Science at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria has since been buried.
Nabeeha was abducted on January 2 along with her father and sisters from their home.
The kidnappers initially demanded to be paid N60million, and when they did not get it, they killed Nabeeha as a warning.
Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, said his friend raised N50 million to complete the ransom.
One of the sisters, Najeebah, shared her experiences in a post on X, formerly Twitter, on their ordeal in captivity.
‘Our ordeal’
Najeebah said she and her sisters were made to trek long distances, and that she almost gave up.
She tweeted: “On Friday, we walked from 10am till the next 4am or even later. They wouldn’t let us rest, they wouldn’t let us drink water.
“We only got to drink water around 10am yesterday (Saturday) morning. At a point, I almost gave up; I almost asked them to just kill me.
“But then I was like I can’t leave my sisters here. I kept thinking: we’ve paid the ransom, why won’t they let us go?
“Then yesterday (Saturday), I was like my Rabb (Allah), if we actually leave this place today, I will never doubt how great and amazing you are. I don’t think anyone understands how I feel right now.
“Allah really said: ‘I’m always listening, my answers might not be the way you like it, but I’m always listening so be patient.’
“I’m soooo in awe, I’m still in awe wallah. Subhannallah, Allah truly is the greatest. Allah’s blessings were there in every way.
“I’m soo happy there wasn’t any molestation cos that was everyone’s greatest fear during the ordeal. Like, they were so against it.
“I don’t understand why but I counted it as a blessing from my Lord. Ya Dhul Jalal Wal Ikram, Shukran. Your blessings were immense.
“Alhamdulilah. I’m immensely grateful for your prayers and support throughout this ordeal.
“This was the greatest test of my life but wallah Allah’s mercy was bountiful as well as it was endless. Thank you all so much.
“I still can’t wrap my head around the fact that my uncle actually died that night. I just found out last night. I called and they said he was fine.
“Inalilahi waina ilaehi raji’un. Ya Allah grant him jannah and forgive his shortcomings. Inalilahi waina ilaehi raji’un.”
Another sister, Nadheerah, in a post on her personal ‘X’ page, said: “Alhamdulillah”.
FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, in a statement, said the operatives “successfully rescued” the victims at Kajuru forest in Kaduna State at about 11:30 pm on Saturday.
“The good people of FCT are encouraged to note the following emergency lines and promptly report suspicious activities; 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653, and 08028940883. PCB: 09022222352,” she added.
Also yesterday, policemen attached to Iddo Divisional Headquarters rescued another kidnap victim, Suleiman Sabo.
He was rescued in Sauka, along Airport Road, Abuja.
A suspected kidnapper, Muhammad Abel, 32 from Kogi State, was arrested during the operation.
He was caught with one LAR rifle with 10 rounds of live ammunition.
Man fakes kidnap in Abuja
The FCT Police Command said there was no kidnapping incident at River Park Estate, Abuja
Adeh said in a statement: “The FCT police Command is aware of the news making rounds about an alleged kidnapping incident at River Park estate in the early hours of today (yesterday).
“Contrary to reports, nobody was kidnapped in River Park Estate.
“One Nnandi Agu ‘m’ of Games Village only faked his own kidnap in an attempt to defraud his brother who lives within the said estate.
“The suspect is currently in police custody undergoing interrogation.”
Suspected kidnapper killed in Kaduna
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) yesterday said it killed a kidnap kingpin, Janari, last Thursday at a location near Gadar Katako in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
NAF’s spokesperson, Air Vice Marshall, Edward Gabkwet, said in a statement that Janari and his men were behind many attacks and abductions in Kaduna and along Abuja-Kaduna highway.
He said the air strikes were authorised after Janari and his gang were sighted at a location near Gadar Katako in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
He said: “Intelligence received after the strike revealed that Janari was indeed eliminated alongside several other terrorists/kidnappers.
“Similar air strikes were also carried out on January 20, 2024, on confirmed terrorists and kidnappers’ hideouts near Chukuba in Niger State with various degrees of success.
“Feedback after the strikes was also positive as it confirmed that the targets were neutralised and their mobility destroyed.”
Kidnappers abduct passengers in Ondo
Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers abducted some passengers travelling between Ekiti and Ondo states at the weekend.
The incident occurred between Ikere Ekiti and Iju axis of Ondo.
A Toyota Corolla and a white Highlander were found by the roadside riddled with bullets.
Occupants of both vehicles were not seen, which fueled speculations that they could have been kidnapped and taken into the Iju forest.
Video of the abandoned vehicles was circulated on social media.
A source in the area said the incident occurred on Thursday night.
Ondo Police spokesman, Funmi Odunlami, who confirmed the incident, said she was yet to confirm the number of persons involved.
Odulami said men of the anti-kidnapping section have started combing the forest.
Natasha lauds security operatives
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan praised security agencies for rescuing the victims.
The Kogi Central lawmaker, according to a statement by her Chief Press Secretary Arogbonlo Israel, urged the Federal Government to address the kidnapping menace.
She called on security agencies to double their efforts in safeguarding lives and properties.
