Terrorists Demand N20million Ransom For Kwara Trader, Threaten To Kill Woman If 'Deadline' Is Missed

SaharaReporters gathered that the victim is a trader who was kidnapped while traveling within Kwara State.

Some terrorists have demanded a ransom of N20million from the family of a woman abducted from Omu-Aran, the headquarters of the Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, threatening to kill her if their demand is not met within a short time frame.

An audio recording obtained by SaharaReporters reveals negotiations between the kidnappers and members of the victim’s family.

In the recording, one of the terrorists could be heard struggling with Yoruba language as they communicated with the family.

SaharaReporters gathered that the victim is a trader who was kidnapped while traveling within Kwara State.

Since her abduction, her family has been in contact with the kidnappers, who have insisted on the payment of N20million as ransom for her release.

In the audio recording, the kidnappers repeatedly asked the family how much money they had been able to raise.  In response, a family member told them that they had managed to gather N2.5 million.

The kidnappers immediately rejected the amount.

According to the recording, the terrorists issued a direct threat, warning that they would kill the victim if the full N20 million ransom was not paid before their stated deadline.

As the family pleaded for mercy and explained their financial difficulties, one of the terrorists responded mockingly, asking whether it was the family’s appeal that they were expected to eat.

Meanwhile, the victim’s family has appealed to Nigerians for urgent help, saying they have exhausted all available resources in an attempt to save their loved one.

The family disclosed that they have sold virtually all their properties and personal belongings, managing to raise about N3million so far, an amount still far below the kidnappers’ demand.

The incident is the latest in a growing wave of kidnappings across Kwara State.

Meanwhile, both young and elderly people have been abducted in different parts of the state, with many families forced to sell assets or go into debt to secure the release of their relatives.

In recent times, two traditional rulers in Kwara State were kidnapped by armed men.

While one of the monarchs reportedly regained his freedom after paying a ransom, the second monarch remains in captivity along with his son, who was abducted with him and is still being held at the terrorists’ camp.

Similarly, some staff members of the Kwara State Ministry of Works were abducted in December last year at Owa Onire, Isin local government of Kwara State.  As of the time of filing this report, they are still in the custody of the terrorists. According to their families, the abductors have insisted that they would only negotiate directly with the Kwara State Government. Relatives of the abducted ministry staff have accused the Kwara State Government, under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, of abandoning them and failing to take decisive action to secure the release of their loved ones.