The Al-Kadriyah sisters, who were kidnapped in the Bwari Area Council of Abuja, have been released by their abductors on Saturday, January 20, 2024.
The six sisters and their father were all kidnapped at their home on January 2, 2024 and the latter was released by the abductors to go and raise the ransom of N60 million to free his daughters.
On Friday, January 12, 2024, the kidnappers killed Nabeeha, who is the second eldest daughter of the six sisters, after the family failed to demands of the kidnappers.
The release of the girls back to their family has sparked jubilation all over the country, due to the harrowing experience they were subjected by the kidnappers and fear of the safety of the remaining five, considering the murder of one of them by the kidnappers.
Report has it that the sisters were escorted by security operatives to their family home after gaining their freedom – casting doubt whether the condition of settlement for their freedom came with or without the payment of the ransom.
Indication of the proof of their freedom can be confirmed by the girls’ uncle, Kabiru Aminu, who posted a video on his X handle @kabiru_aminu, showing the sisters and their relatives jubilating as the girls arrived home.
In his tweet: “#Najeebahandhersisters are home right now, someone please wake me up!”
“#Najeebahandhersisters. These girls are strong,” he added.
The brutal killing of Nabeeha generated condemnation across Nigeria and also fear for the safety of the rest of the girls who were under captivity.
Prominent Nigerians have been voicing their displeasure over the weak security architecture of Nigeria and the growing cases of kidnapping, particularly in around the Federal Capital Territory, iced by the Al-Kadriyah sisters’ incident.
The former Minister for Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, had expressed his disappointment over the ransom placed on the girls by the kidnappers, who raised the ransom from N60 to ₦100 million, after one of his friends had pledged to pay ₦50 million for the girls’ freedom.
The Labour Party Presidential candidate in the last election, Peter Obi, had called on the government of Nigeria to intensify its approach and efforts to set the Al-Kadriyah sisters free.
He also advised operatives to demonstrate the required will and commitment that is necessary to combat the spate of kidnapping and insecurity across the country.
