Following the abduction of six sisters and their father in the Bwari area council of the federal capital territory (FCT), and the killing of one of them, former minister of communications and digital economy, Dr Isa Pantami, has revealed that his friend has volunteered to pay the remaining N50 million out of the initial N60 million the bandits demanded.
The former minister, who made the disclosure on his X handle yesterday, said as much as he does not support paying ransom to criminals, he has resorted to soliciting for the ransom after the kidnappers killed one of the sisters.
Pantami also blamed security agencies for failing to track calls and other digital imprints of kidnappers after the completion of the synchronisation of Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs) with National Identification Numbers (NINs), which was done in 2022 to help to shore up the nation’s security structure and identify the criminals terrorising Nigeria.
The synchronisation policy, which had all network operators complying with the directive, was initiated and executed under Pantami’s tenure as minister.
Pantami’s claim, however, comes as the police said yesterday that it had upscaled tactical intelligence teams to rescue the victims.
The kidnap of the family and killing of one of six sisters named Nabeeha, whose corpse was dumped at an unknown location, follows an escalating pattern of such acts in Abuja.
Amid conflicting records, a report by Premiumtimes said no fewer than 15 persons had been reportedly kidnapped in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) since the beginning of 2024.
It further added that within the last three years, Abuja had recorded close to 50 kidnap cases involving over 200 persons.
From January 2021 to 30 June 2023, there were about 40 recorded cases affecting a staggering 236 victims. Between October and December 2023, there were 13 recorded kidnap incidents and 80 victims.
The incidents took place in Gbau, Kuje, Gauge, Pegi, Abaji, Keti, and Kwali, and the goons were unchallenged by security agencies.
These incidents were also reported to have resulted in significant economic losses, with confirmed payment of ransom totalling N653.7 million between 2021 and 2022.
A 2020 report by SB Morgen also ranked Abuja 11th among locations with frequent abductions, the online platform disclosed.
LEADERSHIP recalls that while the Nigeria security agencies have repeatedly discouraged payment of ransom to kidnappers, the Nigerian Senate had in 2022 passed a bill imposing jail terms of at least 15 years for paying a ransom to free someone who has been kidnapped, and made the crime of abduction punishable by death in cases where victims die.
However, Pantami, who had earlier raised concerns over the abduction of the family and killing of Nabeeha, said on his X handle: “I am personally not in support of paying ransom to criminals. However, it has become clear we lost our daughter Nabeeha yesterday, and the five remaining daughters have been threatened.
“Furthermore, I spoke with a friend and a brother who offered to pay the remaining N50 million of the N60 million 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.”
Pantami’s disclosure attracted criticisms on the social media platform, with some accusing him of not acting appropriately by soliciting ransom to pay kidnappers.
However, while reacting to a question on his NIN-SIM policy which was supposed to help track the criminals, the former minister said: “NIN-SIM policy has been working. However, the relevant institutions fighting criminality are to be requested to ensure they utilise it effectively when a crime is committed. Lack of utilising it is the main problem, not the policy. While in office, I know three instances where the policy was utilised, and it led to the success of their operations.
“On the lack of utilisation, I am more worried than anyone, as my life was threatened by criminals for reintroducing it, including on BBC Hausa and national dailies.
“I resisted and ensured its implementation. If it is not being utilised by the relevant institutions in charge of securing lives and property, then I am more frustrated than any person, as I sacrificed my life and ignored all the threats to life. This is just a point out of 100 on the policy.”
In December 2020, Pantami had directed that all subscribers’ SIM cards be linked to their owners’ National Identification Numbers (NINs).
Speaking in May 2021 at the launch of the National Policy for the Promotion of Indigenous Content in Nigerian Telecoms Sector and Revised National Identity Policy for SIM Cards Registration in Abuja, President Muhammadu Buhari had noted that the synchronisation of SIM cards with NIN would help to cover the nation’s security structure and identify the criminals terrorising Nigeria.
“We will be able to easily identify and know the personality of Nigerians. We will identify people easily, including the crooks,” President Buhari said.
However, the spate of kidnapping has increased over the years after the SIM-NIN synchronisation exercise.
Reacting to the claims by the former minister on the failure to use the tracking technology, the acting director, Defence Information Brig-Gen Tukur Gusau, said the former minister was not specific on which agency, nor did he mention the military, hence, as such he won’t be speaking on the issue.
The director of defence media operations, Major General Edward Buba could not be reached as calls to his line were not answered.
He also did not respond to messages on the said topic.
Meanwhile, reacting to the kidnap of the family, Force PRO, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the Nigeria Police Force has upscaled tactical intelligence teams to rescue the victims.
According to him: “In the wake of the abduction of six young girls in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, it is vital to state that the Police Force has already initiated a comprehensive plan of action. The Force headquarters is diligently coordinating efforts to address this and prevent any further occurrence, as all hands are on deck to rescue the victims.
“However, the sensitivity of the situation necessitates discretion, and, as a result, specific details are being kept confidential to avoid compromising ongoing operations.”
According to him, the police were actively engaging and contacting individuals crucial to the rescue operations and investigation.
“The objective is not only to bring perpetrators to justice but also to intensify efforts in rescue operations for the victims who are still in captivity.
“Furthermore, recognising the psychological impact on affected families, the Police are encouraging open communication with their operatives to provide support, information, and assistance to mitigate the psychological warfare imposed by kidnappers on the relatives and loved ones of their victims,” he added.
