Insecurity: Bandits Threaten To Recruit Abuja Community Head’s Son Into Kidnapping Gang

Residents of Tekpeshe, a community in the Abaji Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory have been reportedly issued a threat by bandit terrorists to immediately pay some ransom for the release of the village head’s son in their den.

The bandits are said to have invaded the community weeks ago and abducted no fewer than 17 persons.

The bandits, Naija News learnt had earlier received some ransom from the community but again demanded that another ₦10 million be raised to release the young man.

It was reported that the assailants contacted the Waziri of Tekpeshe, Ibrahim Tanko, asking for the immediate payment of the ransom or they recruit the victim into their kidnapping gang.

Narrating their awful experience with the bandits, the Waziri told reporters that the entire community had sold farm produce in their bans, motorcycles and a car before they could raise ₦5.2 million as ransom, including ₦75,000 worth of drugs, foodstuffs and recharge cards before the ex-councillor and 16 other people were set free.

He lamented the situation noting that the terror group has again demanded they pay a ransom of ₦8 million for his son’s release without delay or he would be brought into the crime of kidnapping.

The bandits’ leader had reportedly called the village head last week asking the family to raise another ₦10 million for the son to regain his freedom but the family told them that they did not know where and how to raise the money.

“He later said we should raise ₦8 million and after that, he switched off his phone. The bandits’ leader called again after three days, threatening that if the Waziri or his family members failed to raise the ₦8 million ransom, they will keep the boy in their captivity and train him to be a kidnapper,” a source in the community told Vanguard Newspaper.