In a disturbing turn of events, kidnappers who seized 10 individuals from Sagwari Layout, Dutse, Abuja on January 7 have reportedly escalated their brutality, killing three victims to emphasize their demand for an increased ransom. The bandits, who initially demanded N60 million per person, have now raised the stakes to N100 million per individual, amounting to a total of N700 million.
Reports indicate that the victims were allegedly killed due to a perceived delay in meeting the initial ransom demand. Among the victims, a tragic case involves the death of Folorunsho Ariyo, a 13-year-old high school student.
This grim development follows recent reports of the kidnappers operating in villages in Bwari, where one of the six abducted persons was killed to expedite the family’s response to the ransom demand.
Faced with this escalating crisis, residents of Sagwari Layout are preparing for a mass protest against what they perceive as government and security agencies’ inaction in rescuing their kidnapped relatives. Initially planned for Monday, the protest has been rescheduled to Tuesday, taking into account the Armed Forces Remembrance Day. The community expresses its frustration and urgency for intervention in this alarming situation.
