In response to a public outcry, authorities in Nigeria announced on Sunday the successful rescue of five kidnapped sisters. The abduction took place earlier this year when armed men invaded their residence, located just 15 miles (25 kilometers) from Abuja city center, as reported by the family.
Tragically, the attackers took the life of one sister, 21-year-old Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar, when the ransom deadline lapsed. The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) police, in collaboration with the army, carried out the rescue operation on Saturday night in the Kajuru forest of neighboring Kaduna State.
A police statement confirmed, “The FCT Police has rescued the victims and reunited them with their families.” The girls are now back with their family, as verified by a cousin.
Kidnapping for ransom is a pervasive issue in Nigeria, with criminal gangs targeting various locations, including highways, residences, and even schools.
These gangs, known as bandits, operate from bases in forests across the northwest and central states.
Following public outrage over the sisters’ abduction, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu denounced the “recent spate of kidnappings and bandit attacks.” Addressing insecurity has been a significant focus for Tinubu since assuming office in May of the previous year.
Experts suggest that the country’s economic challenges contribute to the surge in kidnappings, with some Nigerians resorting to criminal activities for income.
Despite Nigerian law prohibiting ransom payments to kidnappers, many families lack confidence in the authorities and feel compelled to comply.
While the 2014 kidnapping of 276 schoolgirls from Chibok by Boko Haram jihadists gained global attention, daily abductions in Nigeria typically receive less international scrutiny.
