Following Nabeeha’s killing, the kidnappers escalated the ransom from N60 million to N100 million, threatening to harm the remaining sisters, if their demands are not met.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Uju Kennedy- Ohanenye has assured full rehabilitation for the four rescued girls from the Al-Kadriyar family after two weeks in the kidnappers’ den.
During her visit to the facility where the girls are undergoing medical treatment, the minister expressed sympathy for the girls’ harrowing experience and outlined the ministry’s comprehensive plans for their reintegration into society.
“The Ministry will closely monitor their recovery and provide immediate support upon their departure from this facility, commencing full rehabilitation, including engagement with a psychologist to address the trauma they endured during their time in kidnappers’ custody,” she stated.
Mrs. Kennedy-Ohanenye commended the Chief of Army Staff and the Inspector-General of Police for their coordinated efforts, supported by credible intelligence, which led to the girls’ release.
She highlighted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to addressing the rising trend of kidnappings, assuring that she would update the President and First Lady on the girls’ condition after her visit.
The father of the girls, Mr. Al-Kadriyar Monsoor, expressed gratitude to the Minister for her visit and thanked security agencies for their efforts leading to the girls’ release.
However, he urged the Federal Government to enhance synergy among various security agencies to strengthen the nation’s security architecture, particularly in border areas like Bwari.
“Bwari is bordered by 4 states, Plateau, Niger, Nasarawa and Kaduna and this makes the area porous to any form of invasion, government should improve on community-based intelligence and communication to make lives safer at the grass root level of our country”
During the visit, the Minister presented foodstuffs and sanitary materials to the family. The girls were abducted along with their father in the Zuma 1 area of Bwari Area Council on January 2, 2024.
While their father was released for ransom negotiation, the failure to meet the kidnappers’ demands within the stipulated deadline resulted in the tragic death of one of the sisters, Nabeeha.
The FCT Anti-Kidnapping squad, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, successfully rescued the girls around the Kajuru forest in Kaduna state on Saturday last week, according to police sources.
Source – FRCN HQ