Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, has disclosed that a friend offered to pay N50 million to rescue five sisters abducted by gunmen in Abuja.
The news came after the family of Mansoor Al-Kadriyar of Ajikobi ward in Ilorin metropolis, Kwara State, launched a financial appeal to raise N60 million for the release of its abducted members.
Mansoor and his six children were abducted last Tuesday night in Abuja.
His younger brother, Abdulfatah, was shot dead during his brave attempt to rescue his brother and the children.
The kidnappers had demanded N60 million ransom for their release.
The Guardian learnt that the kidnappers had already murdered one of the victims, Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar, an undergraduate, as warning to the family to pay the ransom.
Consequently, the Al-Kadriyar family launched the public appeal “to support efforts in securing their freedom”.
It said: “We humbly seek financial assistance. A sum of N60 million is urgently required.”
Pantami, on his verified X page, said: “I am personally not in support of paying ransom to criminals. However, since it became clear, we lost our daughter, Nabeeha, yesterday, and the five remaining daughters have been threatened…
“I spoke with a friend and a brother who offered to pay the remaining N50 million of the N60 million immediately. I conveyed the account number of Mansoor Al-Kadriyar to the friend and brother to send the money directly.”
Meanwhile, the state’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has demanded urgent intervention by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to rescue the victims.
In a statement signed by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Adewara, PDP said: “Our party frowns upon the reported negligence of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and other government officials, who, despite being contacted by the Al-Kadriyar family, allegedly turned a deaf ear until this tragic incident occurred.”
It alleged: “There has been a conspicuous lack of solidarity or proactive steps from Governor Abdulrazaq, the senator representing Kwara Central, and the House of Representatives member representing Asa/Ilorin West Federal Constituency.”
PDP said: “We make bold to say that the state government has the resources and duty to protect the lives of its citizens, including going the extra mile with the family to ensure the children in captivity regain their freedom unhurt.
“The PDP stands in solidarity with the Al-Kadriyar family during this difficult time and calls for swift and decisive action from the government to ensure the safe return of the remaining children.”
