Abuja, Nigeria – A crowdfunding campaign is currently underway on X platform to raise funds for the release of five sisters who were abducted alongside their father by bandits on January 2. The bandits subsequently released their father, Mansoor Al-Kadriyar, instructing him to gather the ransom money.
Initially, six sisters were taken captive, but tragically, one of them, Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar, has lost her life. The bandits reportedly killed her due to the family’s inability to raise the required ransom in time.
Now, the family has less than 72 hours to gather N100 million, which amounts to N20 million for each of the remaining five sisters. This sum exceeds the initial demand of N60 million made by the bandits. The new deadline for the ransom payment is set for Wednesday, January 17.
Adamu Asiya, a family member of the abducted sisters, spoke to BBC, describing the immense hardship the family is facing.
Asiya is actively involved in coordinating the crowdfunding efforts on social media and has been authorized by the family to speak to the media about the situation.
She revealed that the sisters’ mother is in a state of constant anguish and tears no longer cease from her eyes.
“She remains there, hoping that something will happen to secure the freedom of her children. She sees it as the will of Allah,” Asiya said.
The five sisters still in the custody of the bandits are: Najeebah Al-Kadriyar, a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria; Nadheerah Al-Kadriyar, a third-year student at the same university; Adeebah Al-Kadriyar; Aneesah Al-Kadriyar, and Mardiyah Al-Kadriyar.
Reports emerged on Monday that the bandits have killed some of the other victims abducted from Sagwari Estate, Dutse, Abuja on January 7, in a bid to pressure their families into paying ransoms.
BBC Pidgin has not independently confirmed these reports. Josephine Adeh, spokesperson for the FCT Police, declined to comment on the matter, citing “security reasons.”
In response to these incidents, plans are being made to hold protests in Abuja, Kaduna, and other parts of Northern Nigeria, urging the government to take more decisive action to end kidnapping.
The date and location of the planned protest have not yet been announced to prevent security operatives from intervening.
However, Sarkin Mota, a young man from X, has already embarked on a solo protest in solidarity with the cause.
