Kidnappers of Kano businessman demand N150m

Enyioha Opara and Ted Odogwu

Barely one week after the kidnap of a Kano-based businessman in Kogi State, Ismaila Zubairu, the abductors have demanded N150m as ransom.

Zubairu was kidnapped penultimate Friday by gunmen at Okengwe, a suburb along Okene-Akure Federal Highway.

According to a family member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the abductors “surprisingly contacted the family members via phone last Thursday night, demanding N150m ransom.”

The source added, “The kidnappers had on Thursday linked Ismaila Zubairu with his immediate family members for a brief chat.

“The unidentified caller pleaded with the head of the family to cooperate with the abductors, so as to secure freedom for the breadwinner of the family.”

When our correspondent visited Zubairu’s residence in the Naibawa area of the state on Saturday, the atmosphere was joyful that the abducted businessman was still alive.

Zubairu’s wife, Hajiya Asabe, said, “I have been informed that my husband communicated with his elder brother when his captors phoned. We should intensify our prayers for Zubairu to regain unconditional freedom.”

Meanwhile, the Niger State Government, on Saturday, confirmed its readiness to quell the upsurge of cases of kidnapping and cattle rustling in some parts of the state.

The major areas affected include Shiroro and Rafi local government areas with over 20 communities being displaced.

The state Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Jonathan Vatsa, told SUNDAY PUNCH that, “people of questionable character” had capitalised on the state’s shared border with the “notorious Birni Gwari forest of Kaduna State” to infiltrate the state.

The commissioner said, “In line with the principle of the present administration of Abubakar Sani Bello on ensuring peace and security of lives and property, the government has mobilised security agencies to curb the trend.”

– PUN CH