How did this happen?
On the evening of January 2, 2024, a group of kidnappers attacked the Al-Kadiriyah family in their home at Bwari Area Council. In an effort to thwart the operation, the sisters’ father reportedly made a frantic call to his brother — the girls’ uncle — to alert the police. The police arrived at the scene before the kidnappers fled, but they couldn’t stop them. Unfortunately, the kidnappers took their first casualty that same evening. The uncle, who was with the police, was shot dead by the kidnappers.
With nothing in their way, the kidnappers took the girls and their dad. This event first broke on social media the morning after, when a family member announced what happened on her X account and prayed for their safe return.
On January 5, Mr Al-Kadiriyah returned home. The kidnappers let him go with one demand: a ₦60m ransom for the six girls. The deadline was Friday, January 12. Subsequently, a crowdfunding campaign kicked off on X with the hashtag #Najeebahandhersisters
Unfortunately, the full ransom couldn’t be realised before the deadline passed, and all efforts to negotiate with the kidnappers were unsuccessful.
What’s happening now?
On Saturday, the girls’ family member, Asiya Adamu, who has been at the forefront of the campaign to get them back home had heartbreaking news: Nabeeha had been murdered by her abductors. Nabeeha was buried later on Saturday.
The kidnappers have increased the ransom to ₦65m and have given the family a new deadline of Wednesday, January 17, 2024.
What is the police doing about this?
Before Nabeeha’s murder, it wasn’t entirely clear how much the police were involved in the plan to save the girls. The Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Olumuyiwa Adejobi, however, claimed the police have been working on the case and urged the family to reach out to him.
The PRO released another statement, promising that the force is still on top of the situation and “diligently coordinating efforts to address this and prevent any further occurrence.”
What can you do to help?
You can lend a voice to the efforts to bring the girls back safely. The hashtag to use is #Najeebahandhersisters. While at it, call on the FCT senator, Ireti Kingibe, and the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to get involved. The crowdfunding campaign to raise the ₦65m ransom is still ongoing. Please, consider making a donation. Find the details below:
