The father of the six kidnapped Al-Kadriyar sisters, one of whom tragically lost her life in captivity, has shared chilling details about how the bandits gained access to their family home. 

The abduction, which occurred in the Federal Capital Territory, involved the bandits demanding a hefty N60 million ransom for the release of the girls.

In an emotional interview with Arise TV News, the father recounted his initial confusion, mistaking the armed bandits for ordinary robbers. 

Distressed by the situation, he urgently sought assistance from his brother, Alhaji Abdulfatai, who, in a courageous attempt to rescue the abducted girls, lost his life during a fierce gun duel with the criminals.

Describing the terrifying encounter, the father revealed, “There was nothing I could do than for me to surrender myself to them. I know what it is that you need. One of them said ‘Ina kudi’ (where is money), I looked at him and I said I don’t have money.”

He further detailed the unfolding events, stating, “They marched me out of my room and my children too. They had already broken the door. They used a long jigger they saw in my compound. They broke the doors and got access to my children.”

Despite the bandits’ intention to lead the family to the main road, the father maintained hope that the police presence would deter the attackers. However, the situation escalated into a fierce firefight when his brother, who had mobilized the police to respond, arrived on the scene.

“I saw my brother was trying to drive in. I was happy. He was the one that actually led the police to my community. When I sighted his car, they (the kidnappers) had already positioned themselves again,” the father recounted.

Tragically, the firefight resulted in the death of the father’s brother, and the police vehicle became immobilized. The bandits, regaining strength, instructed the family to return to the village via an alternate route.

The incident provoked nationwide anger and frustration, especially when one of the girls was killed in the forest after the demanded ransom was not paid. 

In the aftermath, former Minister Isa Pantami faced criticism for suggesting crowdfunding, and later, the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, discouraged Nigerians from raising ransom, arguing that it encouraged criminal activities.