Published 27th Dec, 2021

By Tola Owoyele

An unidentified relative of an abduction victim told the kidnappers to do whatever they wanted, following a demand for a ransom of N100 million.

In a telephone recording shared on social media on Monday, the family member, who is a brother of the victim, tells one of the kidnappers he has not been able to raise more than a million naira as ransom for the victim’s freedom. Subsequently, he asks for the kidnapper’s assistance.

“We have struggled and all we could raise is just one million naira. No one would want to lend us money now because it is Christmas period,” the brother says in Hausa.

The abductor replies, “If you want your relative released, go and solicit the money”.

Despite further pleas by the victim’s brother, the abductor tells him he cares less about his excuses. “What is my business with any Christmas break?” He asks. “I am not aware of any break.”

Afterwards, the abductor asks, “How much was the original ransom you were asked to pay?”

“We were told to pay N30 million,” the victim’s relative responds.

But the response does not go down well with the abductor who yells at the relative that the ransom originally demanded was not N30 million but N100 million.

Obviously running out of patience as well, the victim’s brother says, “If that is the case, go ahead and kill your captive! May God punish you if you fail to kill him!”

In the last four years, kidnapping-for-ransom cases have increased in Nigeria, making it a major security concern alongside terrorism.

Between January and July 2021 alone, at least 2,944 people were kidnapped.

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