In the wake of the shocking 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, reveals that a friend has volunteered to contribute the remaining N50 million of the initial N60 million demanded by the bandits.
The distressing incident, which resulted in the tragic death of one sister, prompts Pantami, who does not support paying ransom, to seek financial aid for the release of the remaining hostages.
Pantami expresses disappointment in security agencies for their failure to effectively track calls and digital imprints of kidnappers, despite the synchronisation of Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs) with National Identification Numbers (NINs) initiated during his tenure.
This revelation comes amid police assurances of upscaled tactical intelligence teams working to rescue the victims.
The abduction of the family and the killing of one sister, identified as Nabeeha, aligns with an alarming pattern of kidnappings in Abuja. Conflicting records suggest that at least 15 individuals have been kidnapped in the Federal Capital Territory since the beginning of 2024, with nearly 50 kidnap cases reported in Abuja within the last three years.
Despite previous legislative discouragement of ransom payments, Pantami’s appeal for financial assistance sparks controversy on social media, with some questioning the appropriateness of soliciting funds to pay kidnappers. Pantami, in response, defends the National Identification Number-SIM card synchronisation policy, blaming the lack of effective utilization by relevant institutions for security lapses.
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The police, in their response, assure the public of ongoing efforts to address the situation, keeping specific details confidential to avoid compromising ongoing operations. They emphasize the importance of coordinated actions to bring perpetrators to justice and intensify rescue operations for victims still in captivity.