Ex-Minister Pantami Mobilises N50m Ransom For Father Of Abuja Kidnapped Girls

The immediate-past Minister of Communicatons and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami, has mobilised financial support for the parents of six girls recently kidnapped from their home in Bwari Area Council of Abuja in order to secure the release of their remaining daughters from abductors.

LEADERSHIP reports that Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar, a 400-Level Biological Science student of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Kaduna State, was murdered on Friday by the kidnappers, while her five other siblings – Najeebah (500 Level, Quantity Survey), Nadheerah (300 Level, Zoology), and three others were still being held captives by kidnappers who are demanding a ransom of N60m.

Taking to his X handle (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, Pantami, who is an Islamic cleric, said that although he was not in support of ransom payment to criminals but since Nabeeha has been murdered and the lives of others have been threatened, it has become the last resort. The former minister said he had spoken to a friend, who volunteered to donate N50million balance for the ransom.

Pantami wrote: “Alhamdu lil Laah!
I am personally not in support of paying ransom to criminals. However, since it becomes clear, we lost our daughter Nabeeha yesterday, and the 5 remaining daughters have been threatened, as I spoke with the father on the matter yesterday and today.

“Furthermore, I spoke with a friend and a brother who offered to pay the remaining 50 million Naira of the 60m immediately. I conveyed the account number of the father of our daughters, Mansoor Al-Kadriyar, to the friend and brother to send the money directly. Any additional amount earlier generated from yesterday, the father can use to treat the daughters and other family members in sha Allah.

“May the Almighty Allah reward the bother and friend with Jannatul Firdaus for the donation. May He also reward all those who contributed in any way with Jannatul Firdaus, too. May He also forgive Nabeeha and rescue her sisters. May the Almighty also help our security agencies to bring an end to these challenges. May Nigeria be a better place for all of us.”