Bandits kidnapped Adenike, a young woman, and another older lady in Abuja on Tuesday night. They demanded N100 million and N60 million respectively from their families as a ransom for their release.

Seven gunmen attacked Kubwa Extension II Relocation Estate in the Arab Road area of the Federal Capital Territory on Tuesday night. They abducted seven residents and killed two men during the roughly one-hour attack.

Adenike, who recently completed the mandatory National Youth Service in November 2022, was abducted from her family home and has not been allowed to speak with her relatives since then.

Our correspondent learned that bandits reached out to Adenike's family on Thursday, demanding N100m ransom.
Femi, Adenike's older brother, said that they tried to talk them into reducing their sum, but they refused.

“The total number of persons kidnapped is seven. But the police have assured us of their safe return, as they said they’re working tirelessly to locate the bandits.”

Our correspondent gathered that among the kidnapped victims were another older female, two male children, and three adult males.

The vice-chairman of the estate’s association, Mr. Frank Boboi, confirmed to our correspondent that the kidnappers had also reached out to relatives of the second female victim, demanding N60m ransom for her release.

Boboi said, “The matter is worrisome. The area has been unsettled since the attack, and now we were informed that the kidnappers are requesting N60m for the release of the other female victim, who’s older than the ex-corps member, Adenike.”

Our correspondent learned that several residents have fled the estate since the Tuesday attack, leaving their properties behind and shutting their homes.

A resident, who identified herself as Patience, said, “Many residents have fled their homes. Some didn’t even wait till the next day as they left immediately after the attack on Tuesday. We have been restless, and we hope that those devils don’t return.”

The FCT Police Command’s spokesman, Josephine Adeh, said, “Investigation is ongoing to apprehend the criminals and rescue the victims. However, we can’t reveal our findings yet, for security reasons.”