The criminal elements who kidnapped 10 persons from Sagwari Estate Layout at Dutse in Bwari Area Council of Abuja and killed three, on January 7, 2024, have increased the ransom for the release of the victims in their custody to N700 million.

Leadership reports that after killing some of the kidnap victims, the bandits increased their demand from the initial N60 million per person to N100 million, now totalling N700 million. Residents said the victims were allegedly killed over the delay in raising the ransom demanded by the kidnappers.

On Friday, reports emerged that the kidnappers, who also operated in some villages in Bwari, had killed one of the abducted persons, Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar, to force the family into quickly raising the demanded ransom. Folorunsho Ariyo was also killed as well as another girl.

On Sunday, January 14, former Minister of Communicatons and Digital Economy, Prof. Ali Pantami, took to his X handle to announce that a friend of his has promised to pay the balance of N50million ransom for the  Al-Kadriyar family to enable them to secure the release of their remaining five daughters from the kidnappers following the murder of Nabeeha.

Meanwhile, residents of Sagwari Layout have perfected plans to stage a massive protest against the perceived inaction of the government and security agencies in rescuing their people.

However, the protest, which was initially planned for this Monday, has been shifted to Tuesday as a result of 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day.